Hello and once again, in keeping with the theme that there’s more than delicious Mexican food in Tucson, I have found a rare gem, The European Market. I was told about this place by a friend that preforms improve at “The Unscrewed Theater” on East Speedway Boulevard. ( check them out online, some funny stuff). The market is next door to the theater located at 4500 E. Speedway. The European Market & Deli is a specialty food and gift market with products from Russia and Eastern Europe. There’s a lot of stuff on the shelves but you have to look carefully since the shelves are stocked full of imported goodies! You can find smoked and dried fish, European cheeses, caviar, kielbasa, pickled vegetables, jams, candy and pastries. You’ll also find an array of imported wines, beer and liquor, including some very special vodkas.
What I’m glad they do is they also make food! You can enjoy Russian and Ukrainian comfort food for lunch or dinner . They also have many frozen items in the market or packaged to go. I came for some of my Russian favorites, Katletas, ( homemade Russian meat patties) served with mashed potatoes or buckwheat and delicious pickles. I also had to have a meat Pirozhki, (spiced meat cooked inside of a yeast bun) served with a spicy pimento sauce and a Gira, which is a Lithuaian fermented drink made from Rye bread. Also known as Kvass in Russia. It usually has a slight alcohol content, around 1-3%. They also serve other favorites such as cabbage rolls, borscht, and pierogi, but I’m only one man! So next time I go I’ll try other dishes. I’m a little perplexed by the fact they also serve Gyros and a few other Mediterean dishes, but I heard good things about them so, I’ll add these to my list.
I was very excited to give everything a try. Usually in Nyack one has to wait an entire year for the Russian Orthodox Church to have it’s Holiday Feast, or trek into Paramus or the city to find such delights. Needless to say I had high expectations. I wasn’t impressed with the mashed potatoes but the Kaletas and fresh pickles more than made up for the plain potato flavor. The Pirozhki were hot and delicious. I have to confess even at Gormanoff’s market in Paramus, I have never found any better Pirozhki then the ones made at the Russian Church. Still these were very tasty. The yeast roll was perfect, it was the lack of spicing in the meat that took them down a notch. I would certainly order them again when I try another Eastern European dish. The also sold the Sirok, that I love so much. They are tiny cheesecake type candy bars that are served cold. I wrote about them here, do yourself a favor and try one! The Gira or Kvass was very yummy especially, if like me, you enjoy the taste of Rye bread. This drink can also be made with beets and both are probiotic and good for you! Be warned sometimes the flavors can be a little strong for some, especially the beet Kvass.
Overall I was very pleased with my trip to The European Market. I will go back again and spend a little more time looking at all the imports on the shelves and eating my way through the menu. If you don’t want to wait to try a Pirozhki aka (Piroshki) you can follow my recipre for quick and easy to make ones here. If you’re really adventerous head over to Dr. Axe’s blog and try making homemade Kvass here. I hope you’ve enjoyed my posts on foods in the Southwest that aren’t Mexican. I’m pretty sure I may be reviewing a few more Mexican restaurants soon followed by some easy and delicious recipes. As always if you have any comments or questions please leave them in the box below, I’ll get to you as soon as I can. Until next time Boone Appetit!
