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What foods to bring to Ukraine?

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Posted by: AkMike

I'm trying to find some things to take with me that they haven't tried before. I BBQ'd some pork ribs there and everyone thought they were fantastic. I'll take commercial stuff next time! I didn't have too much available to make some out of. Maple syrup for the pancakes (bilini?) would be a different treat I would think.
Can you folks think of some other things that we take for granted that they haven't tried? Mac and cheese? Shake and Bake? I thought about Hamburger Helper but I didn't see any ground beef at the markets. I'm not much of a cook but I've managed to get by. I would like to make her some "American "style dinners for her by my self.

I know that the economy in Ukraine isn't in the best of shape, BUT Tanya hadn't even had a MacDonalds shake til I bought one for her. She wasn't interested in getting a burger either.


Posted by: Jim_FL

My experience with my in-laws has been that they all have a "sweet-tooth" and far prefer sweet things to accompany a meal or morning coffee, than American entrees. Here are some things they never had before my first visit, go NUTS over, and can't get unless we bring/send them:

Oreos
Pepperidge farm Pirouettes, van. or choc/hazelnut filled
Key Lime or French Silk pie (transport is a bit tricky on this item)
Maple syrup
Folgers coffee singles or French press and ground coffee (no electric hassles)
Hershey milk chocolate bars
Godiva chocolates and truffles

Also since alcohol is such an intragal part of the culture, they are facinated with anything other than vodka . These went over very well:
Appelton Estate Jamacan Rum
Tequila - the salt/lemon accesory thing facinated them
Pinch Scotch
White Zinfandel wine (ladies like white, men like red, everyone liked this)
The alcohol is best bought "duty free" at the airport, except maybe the wine (we saved @ $10 on the Appelton at MIA)

Hope this helped, have a great trip...........


Posted by: rattlesnake6979

I would say ...... anything made of chocolate or sugar - they have a very sweet tooth. Also a selection of USA bottled beers - the beer in ukraine is much stronger

rattle


Posted by: rtking

Actually, I found Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies at the market in Kiev. But they come in small quantities and are seldomly bought because they're much more expensive than the tasty cookies that are baked in the store's bakery.

Also in the store, I found Cadbury's milk chocolate which was as tasty as Hershey's. And they have Snickers and a few other candy bars that we have in America. I was a bit surprised.

I agree about the sweet things though. I brought over a bottle of California Muscat Cannelli from Temecula's Callaway winery. (I'm a wine club member at a few wineries.) That seemed to go over very nicely. A Zinfandel, Riesling or Gurwietzeminer (sp?) would be good choices also.

I think bringing a bottle of our sweet BBQ sauce would go over well for meats in Ukraine. Ground beef can be found in Ukraine... you just have to ask for it. People don't trust that ground beef is good beef if it's already ground. They want to pick the beef and see that it's ground before their eyes. That said, a can of Sloppy Joe mix might go over fairly well also.

A fun thing to make (if you are so inclined) is sorbet. If you bring a little Campari or Amaretto, you can mix it in with the sorbet you make to give it a little kick. (Sorbet is just an equal part water and sugar brought to a boil, then fruit is mixed in and boiled-down and strained, then frozen. But about 1 - 1.5 hours into the freezing process, use a fork to whip-up the mixture to introduce air to make the whole thing light and airy. The alcohol helps to keep the mixture from freezing too solid and adds a bit of kick.)

Bob


Posted by: wavetossed

Why does everybody talk about pancakes when you mention maple syrup. Don't you ever put it on bacon and eggs? Or on shashlik and other barbecued meats? Sausage? Whipped cream? Hot chocolate? Caffe mocha? Drizzled over fresh raspberries?

It's been years since I put maple syrup on pancakes.

I believe you are from Alaska so why not take some nice smoked salmon and dried blueberries. Do you have oolichans up there too, i.e. candlefish? Those are the small dried fish where you can bite off the heads and then light the body and let it burn like a candle. Great novelty item. I suppose you might also consider taking over a whole salmon packed in dry ice. It would be thawed by the time you arrive, but if you cook it on the first day, it should be fine.

Since Ukrainians will eat chunks of pork lard, I think anything greasy or meaty will be acceptable. Pemmican, jerky...

Russians tend to prefer the European style dark chocolates like Lindt, Godiva, or anything belgian or swiss. But they do have a lot of good local brands too so just take a bit to let her know it's available in America.

Do you know how to make tortillas from masa harina? These are completely unknown in Russia. They only have the big flour tortillas used for burritos. And can you make refried beans from scratch using dried pinto beans? A bag of pintos and a bag of masa harina, and a bottle of tabasco sauce takes up little room but contains the makings of a nice meal of tacos with refried beans. Meat and tomatoes, etc are readily available in Ukraine.


Posted by: AkMike

You've made some good suggestions already folks keep them coming.
I did take smoked salmon during my last trips and they loved the flavor. This time I'm taking home canned salmon with a few jalepenos..... That's to die for!
I personally love the strawberry bon-bon hard candys. I was going to bring a bunch of those for the kids I meet. We have a place here that makes milk chocolate candys out of wild native berrys and they do like them.
I was planning to bring a jug of the tequlia (muscal?) with the worm in it for her son. (he's 22) They showed me the vodka with the peppers in it, and guess who got the peppers...... All 3 of them at once!
Luckily I like spicy foods so I managed to show that I could eat them all.
Her son is a Lt. in the Ukraine Army and this was during his wedding reception dinner with a buch of his army buddies and their spouces. I felt like the "old bull of the woods" with this crowd. So I just had to eat those peppers.
Hooligan fish are too greasy to even pack in my bags ... YUCK!!!
I wish I could take some fresh halibut, but it's a 23 hr flight time from here to KBP and a 2 hr. taxi ride to Cherkassy.


Posted by: AkMike

WOW!!!
It seems almost unbelieveable, I just found out that she hasn't ever had popcorn! I was asking about her computer and if it had a cd/dvd slot. I thought it might be nice to bring some movies and watch thru her computer and have some popcorn.. She's not even sure if it's available there...
That might be something to start an import company..
Orville Redenbacher look out!!!




Posted by: rtking

AkMike... beware that some DVD software on computers will only allow you to adjust regions up to 5 times. (Mine does... so I can only switch 3 more times.) Others won't allow you to play regional DVDs at all.

BTW, if you have a friend with a TiVo unit and DVD burner built-in, it's always fun to bring your favorite TV shows with you to watch during the quiet moments. I brought 8 - 10 episodes of "Scrubs", "Good Eats" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" with me. It was fun watching those programs when I had a yearning for American television...

Bob


Posted by: AkMike

Thanks Bob
If her computer won't handle them I'm not going to take any. I'm NOT a computer guru so if it's not simple it won't work.
I'm not much for tv anyway so...
Besides it'd be a good way for me to work on my russian. Their tv is interesting to watch W/O knowing the language. LOL


Posted by: rtking

AkMike, did you ever watch that old show "Science Fiction Theater 3000?" It had two robots and a human watching B movies. They would make-up dialog when the action got boring! It was hilarious!

I mention this because I found, as I was watching Russian television with Olga, that I was making-up dialog as I went along too! I have no idea what was said, but I'd make up dialog such as:

"Wow, we need to be careful of those women."
"Why, do women scare you?"
"Well... yes. Yes they do. Especially when they have hairy chests and pee standing up."
"Ah, I understand. I'm afraid too..."

See... it's fun! It's mentally stimulating! It's borderline childish!

Have fun!

Bob


Posted by: AkMike

LMAO., I'll have to try that and see if Tanya thinks I'm nuts!
I was amazed that I could figure out the main plot and some of the words after just a couple of weeks.

I'm still amazed about the lack of pop corn though.


Posted by: Jill

I'm surprised about the popcorn too. They sell it on just about every street corner in Kiev (at least in the center)--where is she from in Cherkassy? I know they have popcorn in Cherkassy city, because I've seen it there. And actually I was going to suggest microwave popcorn (if she has access to a microwave anywhere). I always bring that back from the States--it's gone over very well (it's much better than the kind they sell on the street corners which usually doesn't taste very fresh). Graham crackers have gone over well, too. Ice tea mix could also work. Lots of people suggest peanut butter--although, if you look around, you can find this in many cities in Ukraine (but it's usually rather expensive and no one really knows what it is so they don't generally buy it). I've tried maple syrup with people--in general, it hasn't gone over well. I was surprised.

In terms of candy (especially chocolate) it's always appreciated; however, most people have later admitted to me that they liked Ukrainian/Russian chocolate better.

As for alcohol, Baileys is popular, as is Malibu rum, and Martini. They are all readily available in Ukraine, but very expensive, so you might want to consider picking up a bottle or two at Duty Free.

As for English language DVDs/video cassettes, etc., they are fairly easy to find in Kiev and only cost a few bucks. So it would probably be easier just to buy them here (if you're planning on spending a few hours in Kiev on your way to Cherkassy), that way you don't have to worry about compatibility.


Posted by: AkMike

Thanks for the insite Jill!!!!
I know that everyone was surprised when I tried to order a rum and coke at a dinner. Finally I saw Malibu ! I ordered a coke and a glass of ice, I was fixed! But everyone had to taste it so it didn't last too long. Later we ordered the whole jug!


Posted by: Jill

Quote:

Treasure Hunt! The Post finds 10 things you can't.
By Paul Miazga, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Andrey Slivka, Kyiv Post Chief Editor
Sep 22, 2004 01:54

Let’s face it: Most shopping done in Kyiv is driven by supply, not demand, and lots of times you feel you have to know someone to get something you really need. Not any more.

Here’s a list of places that stock things easily found in the West, but not around here.


1. Exotic and Hard to Find Foods: Bessarabsky Market.

Unmistakable Bessarabsky Market sets the city standard when it comes to getting every last thing on your pre-supper shopping list: fennel, pea pods, ripe avocados, white and green asparagus, arugula, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, mint and other fresh herbs.

We’ve also recently found dried chick peas and canned coconut milk (Hr 15 for 400ml; ask near the exotic fruit stands), so doing Middle Eastern or Thai food for supper has suddenly become much, much easier.

Of course the prices are outrageous: It’s Bessarabska, where nothing comes cheap because the vendors have fresh everything, even in mid-winter, and they know you don’t.


2. Kosher Foods: Central Synagogue Kosher Market.

We’ve given this place a name because there isn’t one outside the store, which sits anonymously sandwiched between the old Synagogue and Makabi kosher restaurant on Shota Rustaveli.

Inside this little gem you’ll find huge tins of Starkist tuna; canned chick peas (Hr 17 for 560 ml); Heinz BBQ sauce; Western breakfast cereals; kosher meats and sausages; kosher wines; kosher breads and pastas; motzah balls; and lots more.


3. Good Gifts and Gift Cards: Tendence at 4/27G Gonchara and Globus (1st phase).

Need to buy a gift for someone? Tendence, a quiet store tucked away on a lovely square off Artema, ought to be your first stop. Two levels’ worth of excellent things to buy for someone close to you – from lovely pens and sculptures to desk-sets to furnishings to candles to vases and bowls to lovely things to hang on the wall. There was even, last we looked, a handy magnetic dartboard. The help is as soothing and charming as the location.


4. Picture Books about Kyiv and Ukraine: Budynok Podarku at 5 Lesi Ukrainky.

The generic name of this place (it translates as “House of Gifts”) conjures up images of shelves upon shelves of bland, Soviet-era schlock. But on a counter separate from some of the less desirable items is an inconspicuous stack of picture-filled history books about Kyiv. Send some to your Diaspora aunt back West.

The books have clever names like “Kyiv” and “ Ukraine,” they’re between Hr 60 and Hr 270 in price, and several are in languages other than Ukrainian or English.



5. Nice Photo Albums and Picture Frames: Fujifilm in Globus (1st phase).

Good pictures can’t go in just any album or frame. Nobody wants to look at them like that: They deserve better.

Fujifilm on the bottom floor of Globus has heaps of frames and albums that aren’t over-priced, despite their regal location. Get nice pocket-sized albums for 100 pictures for just Hr 19 and huge National Geographic-inspired wads holding 300 photos for Hr 95. For frames, this place has lots of original styles with unique (not ugly) borders from Hr 29 to Hr 59. And they’ve got a digital do-it-yourself photo center for quick processing of photos on CD and computer diskette.



6. The City’s Best Collection of DVDs: Petrivka.

People are going crazy about DVDs these days, and no wonder: In a city of perhaps four million, there has never been a single theater consistently playing movies in English. Butterfly at Petrivka used to. Kyiv cinema used to. Now no one does.

Anyway, Petrivka has only gotten better of late. The market has modernized, it’s easier to get around, and a glut of DVDs on the market means prices have fallen from about Hr 80 two years ago to the Hr 25 for a single-movie disk. We recently picked up “Fahrenheit 9/11” for Hr 25, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and a three-in-two combo of “The Red Dragon,” “Hannibal” and “The Silence of the Lambs” for Hr 50.



7. Vinyl Records: Eurostar in Mandarin Plaza, 5th floor.

The city’s best deejays don’t exactly show up at this swank little shop to flip through records like extras in “High Fidelity.” Eurostar is costly, that’s why; prices range from Hr 86 to Hr 230 and up, which is a lot for vinyl. But the selection, though limited, is decent, and staffers here are near-audiophiles, as we’d like them to be. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t sell “plastynky.”

If you have a turntable and want some new records to play, at least there’s one store that can help you.



8. Coffee Go: Dim Kava (various locations).

Ukrainians are becoming tired of instant coffee, but as their taste for coffee improves, they’re also running out of time to enjoy it. Forget about sitting down for a cup of hot java: the pace of a modern, Western-style life demands things be grabbed on the go. Westerners take it for granted that coffee can come in vaguely-insulated Styrofoam or paper cups and downed on the way to the office. But in Ukraine that was unheard of. Enter Dim Kava.

These small coffee shops across the city dole out cups of that steaming liquid (for a reasonable Hr 6 for a cappuccino) and will of course give it to you to go, and with a proper lid to boot.



9. Nice Stemware and Silverware: Farfor Fayans at 34 Khreshchatyk.

Most tableware and stemware in Kyiv is garbage, or overpriced, ugly and an insult to any respectable dinner party. Farfor Fayans has a lock on elegant, quality merchandise, from stemware and silverware to virtually everything for the home.

Crystal stemware goes for Hr 99 to Hr 139 per piece for the Bohemian brand, from the Czech Republic; Hr 170 to Hr 200 per piece for the German stuff.

Silverware from Portugal starts at Hr 279 for a six-person set. They even have amazing china on the main floor and a new linens section in the basement.



10. Chewing Tobacco: Fortuna Smoke Shop at 6 Baseyna and Volodymyrsky Market.


It’s surprising how many North American guys we run into in Ukraine miss dip - that is, chewing tobacco, that uniquely New World (and gloriously disgusting) habit. We like dip, too, especially now that American football season and the baseball playoffs are coming around to bring out the hillbillies in us. So we’re glad to learn, via our friends at our sister-publication Afisha, that chaw is available at Volodymyrsky Market and, it’s rumored, at the Fortuna cigar shops on Zankovetsa and B. Khmelnytskoho.

Copenhagen and that hair-raising cherry-flavored Skoal are available, we’re told.




Posted by: Menehune

wa, i will miss raw fish when i go there. i eat it in one form or another almost everyday. no sashimi, aku poki, ahi poki, lomi lomi salmon. i am not even going to try sushi there. if a fish been frozen i won't eat it raw. i don't eat red meat.. what to do what to do...looks like i will be eating alot of chicken...


Posted by: rtking

Naw Menehune... well, at least not in Kiev. Sushi seems to be catching-on there. There were several Japanese cuisine restaurants (and some that were Mexican/Japanese combined!) in Kiev. Nobu is pricey but good. You'll be able to have your sashimi! (The Japanese chef at Nobu flies-in all their fish fresh and it's not frozen.) Olga loved it. I don't eat fish, so I can attest that the California rolls, Tempura and Udon noodles were great!

Bob


Posted by: ConnerVT

Quote:
Originally posted by Menehune
i don't eat red meat.. what to do what to do...looks like i will be eating alot of chicken...

Don't forget "The Other White Meat" -- pork! There are many excellent pork dishes also.

The Russian fishing fleet may not fish the tropical waters your diet is accustomed to, but there are many excellent foods you can have with fish that are not sushi.

As for red meat... I have grilled an occasional steak for my wife, but beef only has shown up on our plates maybe six times in that many months in our home. An I eat as a king!


Posted by: wavetossed

There's always pickled herring... that's pretty popular in Russia so I'm sure you must be able to find it in Ukraine. It's usually packed in jars with some raw onion rings.

And I could swear I had raw fish in a salad at a restaurant in Chelyabinsk. In Russia, most salads have meat or fish in them. I asked my girlfriend to point out the ones with Russian fish in them, i.e. fish from one of the many Russian rivers and lakes. I got something with a fish that had flesh with stripes of pale salmon colour and almost white, rather like some Scottish salmon but much paler in colour. It also did not taste at all like salmon.

So rather than just hunting for sushi restaurants, maybe you should ask for places which serve raw or pickled fish. And if that doesn't work, just eat that raw bacon fat that Ukrainians seem to love. It's white, not red.


Posted by: AkMike

Yuck, Salo is like eating raw bacon with out any meat.
IMHO...... NASTY Stuff


Posted by: Keystone

I was at dinner with her folks and there was what looked like raw fish on a big plate right in front of me. I asked if it was cooked or was it raw? Their answer was "Fresh fish is something wrong?" I said net, net and I ate it. It was quite tasty. Also, I always had to eat the pepper from the vodka. I think they know exactly how to pour a shot and make that pepper fall out.

Keystone


Posted by: myshka

Fish, whether raw, smoked, dried, cooked, baked, fried, made into pies, soups, salads, is one of the most prevalent things in a Russian/Ukrainians diet. No, not sushi style, (except in big cities in expensive restaurants) but young and old , women and men all eat lots of fish.


Posted by: Pin Boy

whne i was in ukraine and spent a few weeks with my GF at her flat, the same damn piece of fish kept coming out of the frig at every meal and no one ate it for a few days and I just kept praying someone would eat it so I didn't have it staring at me every time we ate...

I was surprised how much (relatively) healthy food my GF would eat. She was, of course, very thin but could pack it away. I got a little grossed out on three occasions:

1) she was making a casserole with corn and sour cream and butter and and I watched her put almost a whole tub of butter/margarine in the salad...I could feel my cholesterol go up at least 10 points

2) we were making a marinade for shishlik and again she must have used a pound of butter and sour cream... but it was so good and I ended up stuffing myself at the picnic and couldn't eat for two days after

3) her girlfriend came to visit one evening and they sat at the table eating a smelt looking kind of fish (something I would consider bait) and just eating them one after another to the bone...I thought, do I have to kiss her after this???...but as many of you men know Russian/Ukrainian women's hygiene is impeccable so it was no problem

How bout bringing some pork rinds courtesy of President Bush?!


Posted by: Menehune

Quote:
Originally posted by rtking
There were several Japanese cuisine restaurants (and some that were Mexican/Japanese combined!) in Kiev.


You have to be kidding me.. for some reason they doesn't seem to go well together. and i have a stomache just think of it.

okay, back.. just had to go pray to the procelain god.

you're right conner, i am accustomed to eating tropic fish.. mainly deep seawater game fish. like ahi=tuna, aku=mackerel, mahi mahi= dolphin fish... and don't believe jessica simpson, they are fish not dolphin. remember this is a person who thought starkiss "chicken of the sea" is actually chicken.

I am a bit adventurous so i'll try everything there. i might need to be drunk to try the bacon lard though... procelain god calling again.


Posted by: AkMike

I really doubt that even getting "on you face blitzed"
Would make salo taste good. But it'sgoing to come up faster than a greased pig!


Posted by: Jill

Yep, that's salo. I've never tried it myself (being a vegetarian) but my husband does indeed LOVE it. He can even differentiate between the various kinds--although how there can even be various kinds of pig fat, I don't know.

I have to say, though, I do know quite a few Americans in Ukraine who have come to love salo as much as any Ukrainian. Guess it's an acquired taste

Awhile back a restaurant in Kiev came up with the idea of chocolate covered salo as a desert. The singer Ruslana (this year's Eurovision winner) claims to love the stuff


Posted by: rtking

Quote:
Jill wrote:
I have to say, though, I do know quite a few Americans in Ukraine who have come to love salo as much as any Ukrainian. Guess it's an acquired taste


ICK!!! Gobble, gobble... GAG!!!

I gotta say that I've NEVER acquired a taste for Pork Rinds and, despite seeing Salo, I've successfully avoided eating it. Thankfully Olga doesn't like it either!

Bob


Posted by: Jill

Ah, I thought of something--Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I have never found these in Ukraine and, believe me, I've looked


Posted by: AkMike

Ah Ha!!!! I found Jill's weakness!! LOL, Well since Tanya's never had peanut butter I guess I'll add it to the list. Thanks Jill...
If you were still in Kiev I'd track you down and personally deliver some to you for all your help and insight.


Posted by: Jill

AKMike, if you keep talking like that I may just have to make a special trip to Kiev


Posted by: AkMike

Would a 1 pound bag of Reeses Pieces tempt you?
I could leave them there with Tanya's son so you could get them later. ( Provided they don't evaporate, Candy has a habit of doing that you know!)




Posted by: Jill

That's such a kind offer, Mike. But save the space in your bags for Tanya I'm sure you'll need it for all the gifts for her and her family


Posted by: rtking

Heck Jill... for all the help you've given me, just PM me your address in Yerevan and I'll send Reese's Peanut Butter Cups directly to you! (I make no guarantee that the Post Office Workers and Customs personnel won't enjoy some though! )

Bob


Posted by: AkMike

Bob, I'll bet that she's never had the new ones with white chocolate... ( Can you imagine her drooling now)

It must be hard being abroad all the time and missing the better things of life..


Posted by: Jill

You guys are so sweet Hopefully our paths will cross at some point. My (multi entry) Ukrainian visa is being renewed as we speak, so there may be a trip in the not so distant future (maybe for New Years?). It's only $160 (one way) from Yerevan to Kiev, so I think I can splurge a few times a year. Especially if I know there are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups waiting for me on the other end


Posted by: Jill

Quote:
Bob, I'll bet that she's never had the new ones with white chocolate... ( Can you imagine her drooling now)


OH MY GOD! AKMike, that is just CRUEL for you to tempt me like that!


Posted by: AkMike

I'll still be there for the holidays. I'll bring some extra goodies and leave them for you with her son in Kiev. Maybe even some Ak Wildberry candies.. They went over bigtime last trip. When I get the address I'll PM you.
LMAO I do tend to tease just a tad.


Posted by: Pin Boy

i found an article on the net today about salo festivals in Ukarine...looks and sounds disgusting...article said heart disease is the number cause of death in Ukraine yet the people believe it has some sort of health benefits...my cholesterol went up 20 points just reading the article


regarding Reeses PB cups...do they still sell the kind with the crunchy cookie bottom? i think it may just have been a test item about 3-4 years back...they were quite delicious!!! anyone ever have them before? see them now?

pin boy


Posted by: AkMike

I've never heard of those ones PinBoy..
Jill is going to ruin her keyboard drooling, just thinking about Reeses...


Posted by: Jill

Hey, I'm not drooling!!!! That's just a little excess saliva.....



About salo (we REALLY need to get off this topic ), my husband just sent me an article about how Ukrainians are actually eating LESS salo now. If you read Russian and happen to be interested in pig fat, here it is:

Quote:
Украинцы отказываются от сала

Корреспондент.net
14 Сентября 2004, 13:55

Украинцы стали потреблять значительно меньше сала, отдавая предпочтение менее жирным мясным продуктам.

Население Украины начинает резко уменьшать потребление сала и смальца - в среднем на 5% ежегодно. Об этом заявил Андрей Ярмак, заместитель директора Проекта аграрного маркетинга компании Land O"Lakes, реализуемого при поддержке Агентства международного развития США.

"Еще пять лет назад украинцы потребляли 70-80% свинины, остальное приходилось на курятину и говядину. Сегодня же больше половины рынка за курятиной, потом идет свинина - до 25% и остальное - говядина", - сообщил Ярмак в эфире УТ-1 в понедельник, 13 сентября, вечером.

По словам Андрея Ярмака, одна из причин - рост доходов населения, позволяющий все больше задумываться о культуре питания.

"Национальная кухня зависит от уровня доходов населения. Чем меньше зарабатывают люди, тем больше жиров они потребляют. Если доходы растут, люди начинают менять в потреблении животные жиры на растительные", - пояснил он.

"Если взять Германию, то там 50-70 лет назад потребляли сала столько же, как и мы. И это считалось у них национальным продуктом - шпек и т.д., а сейчас у них вообще его нет как продукта. Даже породы свиней, которые они выращивают, - у них сала вообще нет", - добавил специалист.

По материалам Интерфакс



Posted by: AkMike

Ahhhh,, welll. Eerrr Would you mind translating it so we could get the general jist of the article???? Just for us un-enlightened few....
PLEASE..


Posted by: Jill

Sure, I just didn't think anyone would be that interested. Forgive the rough translation

Ukrainians have started eating significantly less salo, giving preference to less fatty meat products.

The population of Ukraine has started to reduce its consumtion of salo--on average by 5% a year. This was announced by Andrei Yarmak, assistant director of the agrarian marketing project of Land o Lakes, which is supported by USAID.

"Just 5 years ago, Ukrainians consumed 70-80% pork, the rest was chicken and beef. Today half of the market has gone to chicken, after that to pork--up to 25%--and the rest beef." said Yarmak on TV-1 on Monday evening September 13.

According to Andrey Yarmak, one of the reasons is the rise of income among the population which has allowed people to think more about the kinds of food they eat.

"National cuisine depends on the amount of income people have. The less people earn, the more fats they consume. If income increases, people start to change from animal fats to vegetable fats,"--he explained.

"If you take Germany, 50-70 years ago, they ate as much salo as we do. And this was considered a national product--now it doesn't even exist there. Even the breeds of pigs they raise don't have any fat"--added the specialist.


Posted by: AkMike

Thank You Jill!


Now maybe I won't be offered any of that nasty stuff when I get there in November! I must admit I did try a tiny bit so I know how bad it is.


Posted by: Jill

Quote:
Now maybe I won't be offered any of that nasty stuff when I get there in November!


Obviously, you are an optimist


Posted by: AkMike

LOL, If I really wanted to be popular there, I'd scout around and get a few pounds of whale blubber to take with me. (But I'd hate to have my clothes and suitcase smell like that!)


Posted by: Pawel_PL.USA

Well, I don't know what to bring to the Ukraine, but I do always buy Ukrainian things at the Polish grocery stores in Chicago. You would be surprised many things they have there from the Ukraine. I myslef am guilty of buying huge jars of "Zlatodar" pickles and cartons of Ukrainian cherry juices. I guess part of the reason is because the Ukrainians that move into Chicago, and they all go to the city (unlike Russians, I've noticed) ... and they follow us into the Polish neighborhoods.


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