Perogies

I went to church during my recent visit to my hometown of Welland, ON in the Niagara area. That's right, church. St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church to be exact.

In the entrance, a testament to why I was there. Antique tools long ago used to make perogies, the very thing for which I had made the special trip to the church.

Through the doors to the hall and this was the sight.

Senior female parishioners gather on most Fridays to make hundreds of perogies, cheese-and-potato-filled dumplings in a soft dough. They are sold by the dozen between the hours of 10-1 on the same day. Except for summer, statutory and seasonal holidays, the ladies gather to knead, fold, cook, pinch, stir... and socialize.

Orders have to be called in on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 7-11 a.m. (905-732-4102). If you forget, you're pretty much out of luck. Come Friday at 1 p.m., they sell off the ones people ordered but didn't pick up. There usually ain't much left behind!

The perogies are $5 per dozen and are fully cooked. They come in a styrofoam container (boo) but I repackage them into freezer bags when I get them home - they freeze well!

Review:

So why do I make a point to get these perogies? Because they are the best! They are soft, very full of filling and the ratio filling-dough is perfect, not too doughy. You can taste the love!

I pick some up a few times a year, when the opportunity arises. I have standing requests to get some for others when I go.

I served them lightly fried, sometimes with onions, sometimes itch sour cream.

I've had other handmade perogies and none compare, in value and flavour.

The ladies also make and sell cabbage rolls, which are equally as good in flavour, but a little less in value at $8 per dozen.