Right now in most of the Christian world Lent is in full swing . However, if you practice Orthodox Christianity Lent and Easter fall a little later in your calendar. The Russian Orthodox Church in Nyack has just started Maslenitsa or “Butter Week”. Maslenitsa is a traditional Russian “Mardi-Gras” the last week before the start of Great Lent. This week you are allowed to eat lots of dairy as meat has already been forbidden. During this week Blini are served piled with rich foods like caviar, eggs, sour cream, salmon and herring all topped off with melted butter. Blini are thin yeast risen pancakes , for lack of a better description. In pre-revolutionary Russia festivals popped up in all the big cities and small villages alike to celebrate Maslenitsa. The festivities lasted a whole week . On Sunday at 6pm the church bells would toll and the start of the Great Lent would begin, no more meat or dairy products could be consumed until Easter.
If you’re like me and have fun exploring different cultures, eating their foods is a great way to start. Fortunately for anyone living close to Rockland county you have a chance to explore the foods of Maslenitsa, made by the Russian Orthodox Church of Nyack, or Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Church as it’s formally known. Starting this weekend and next weekend you’ll be able to order foods from the church with curbside pickup. Unlike their Holiday Bizarre, the only foods available are those associated with Maslenitsa, “Butter Week” and later in April foods for Easter. You still have today if you hurry or March 10-12 . Easter ordering is one time on March 21 and then not until April 24-25.
I picked up some Blini with chopped eggs and scallions topped off with a little salmon caviar and sour cream and a touch of melted butter. I wasn’t ready for how rich this concoction could be. After only two small Blini I was feeling pretty full. I also had it in my mind that most festival food would be more sweet than savory. I guess I’m getting that from my own traditions around certain holidays. I went with the salmon caviar knowing it’s not my favorite but felt it might be more festive. I think I should have gone for the herring or salmon. I find salmon caviar too large and salty for my taste. I also tried the Borscht and as always it doesn’t disappoint. Then I opted for the Vareniki a dumpling made with sweet farmers cheese. It came with sour cream but I like to add raspberry jam. That was my yummy sweet ending to the meal. They offer other foods and you can find them here on their website ,Holy Virgin Protection Church.
Many of you don’t live in Rockland County but that shouldn’t stop you from going out and finding foods from other cultures. It never hurts to explore and expand your tastebuds and brain from time to time. There’s an entire world of culinary adventures out there and I love finding them with and for you! Do you have a cultural culinary experience you’d like to share? If you do please place it in the comment box, we’d all love to read it. If you give the church a try let us know how your experience was. Enjoy your day and until next time, Boone Appétit!
