Yummy Market is your one-stop source for the best selection of perogies and pelmeni in the Greater Toronto Area. You’ll want to try all of the varieties. For the uninitiated, here’s a quick guide to the difference between perogies and pelmeni.
What are Perogies?
Perogies, pockets of dough filled with virtually any imaginable filling, are an authentically European delight. Traditional perogies are usually stuffed with potato, cheese, meat, sauerkraut and fruit fillings. Boiled or pan-fried, they can be served as an entrée, appetizer, snack or even dessert. Perogies are traditionally served with sour cream. However, lots of people like to add a personal touch by serving them in various tomato or mushroom sauces. Dessert perogies can be sprinkled with icing sugar and served with ice cream.
What are Pelmeni?
Pelmeni are a national Eastern European (mainly Russian) dish usually made with minced meat filling, wrapped in thin dough (made out of flour and eggs, sometimes with milk or water added). Pork, lamb, beef or any other kind of meat can be used as a filling and mixing several kinds is popular. The traditional Ural recipe requires 55% of beef, 45% of pork to make the filling. Often various spices, such as pepper and onions are mixed into the filling. Pelmeni belong to the family of dumplings. They are closely related to perogies and vareniki — a Ukrainian variety of dumplings with a filling made of mashed potatoes or cottage cheese. They are also similar to Chinese potstickers. The main difference between pelmeni and other kinds of dumplings is in their shape and size — typical pelmeni is roughly spherical and is about 2 to 3 cm in diameter, whereas most other types of dumplings are usually elongated and much larger.