TURNERS FALLS — In celebration of National Pierogi Day, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church and Parish Council President Walter Hoszkiewicz are welcoming the public to “taste the flavors of Poland” — and then some.
“We decided we would do this event in order to provide an opportunity for people to have a taste of some Polish pierogi, but we wanted to do something a little different this year,” Hoszkiewicz said.
The European staple will be served at the church, 84 K St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (the day before National Pierogi Day), but the menu might not be what you expect. Rather than just serve typical potato and cheese or sauerkraut-filled pierogi, the church will debut three outside-the-box flavors prepared by its St. Hyacinth Pierogi Makers group. Unique flavors include a crab rangoon pierogi with duck sauce, a mango habanero pierogi with mango butter, and a golabki pierogi with a garlic and dill tomato sauce, all hot off the grill.
“All three varieties provide an incredible delicacy that will awaken your palate,” Hoszkiewicz said in the church’s event announcement.
Hoszkiewicz explained the church has historically celebrated the occasion with pop-ups at fairs, such as the Great Falls Festival. Although the annual downtown happening has been discontinued, the church remains committed to maintaining a tradition.
“We wanted to offer an opportunity for the community to still enjoy our pierogi-ing,” he expressed.
The church’s pop-up at the Great Falls Festival helped the St. Hyacinth Pierogi Makers hone their creativity, according to Hoszkiewicz. One pierogi variety they offered was lobster-filled, which became a fan favorite, but was ultimately too expensive to continue making. The idea to create a crab rangoon pierogi, however, was inspired by the flavor’s success.
“We looked up a crab rangoon recipe and enhanced the crab rangoon by making it 50% crab meat and 50% cream cheese,” Hoszkiewicz said. “They’re quite flavorful and quite delicious.”
The mango habanero pierogi was also inspired by what the church offered at the Great Falls Festival, according to Hoszkiewicz. They had served a mango habanero and cream cheese spread, which bears similarities to the new pierogi’s filling. The flavor is more sweet than spicy, Hoszkiewicz described.
The third variety combines two Polish dishes: golabki and pierogi. The pierogi will be filled with ingredients typical of golabki: pork, hamburger, onions and cabbage.
These pierogi flavors will each be sold in portions of three for $10. Traditional pierogi will also be available in portions of six for $8. Additionally, there will be a bake sale featuring homemade Polish baked goods. Proceeds from the event will be put toward renovations at the church.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.