European Goodies Polish Deli

European Goodies, a Polish deli (4701 49th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33709; 727-526-1118) is just south of Zeko’s. 49th Street is, generally, one of the “blue collar” sections of St. Petersburg. That’s prized ethnic-food territory, for it is here–and along 34th Street that runs parallel to it–that, mixed among the body shops, auto AC shops, transmission repair, and plumbing supplies, one will find spectacular little groceries and restaurants specializing in specific ethnic cuisines.

European Goodies is just such a place. I recommend it highly. It specializes in Polish cuisine. The shelves and freezers are stocked with many imported items such as the authentic Polish pickles pictured here. But, the three most exciting features of this deli are (1) its homemade items, (2) its sausages, and (3) its little “restaurant,” a collection of about a half-dozen wooden tables (inside) where you can order and eat a home-cooked, Polish lunch. As for the sausages…I never knew there could be so many. I’ve never met a sausage I didn’t like. Next to noodles, they’re my favorite food (together and I’m in heaven). There had to have been about two dozen different kinds of sausages at European Goodies. But, it’s their homemade items to take home to finish preparing that took my heart this time.

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I bought a package of their homemade but freshly frozen pierogi (pictured below). A pierogi is, basically, a Polish pot sticker, a morsel of some filler within a square or circle of dough, folded over into a triangle, sealed, and cooked. That concept must exist in every culture with variations (Italian ravioli, Jewish kreplach, etc.). The pierogi I got at European Goodies had minced mushroom and sauerkraut filling.

The owner’s instructions were simple: take them home and brown them up in the skillet in some oil. So easy and so good. If you’d like to try your hand at making some from scratch, Krykiet.com has some recipes that look not too difficult. It’s also a good source for learning about other dishes to order at European Goodies. The next time I go to European Goodies, I’m going to have their golabki (stuffed cabbage)!