This week we discussed the intersection of immigration and food businesses and focused on the neighborhood of Little Russia in San Francisco. In the classroom we viewed a local news segment about the experiences of immigrant business owners in Little Russia during the current Russo-Ukrainian War.
In the kitchen the third graders made pirozhki, Russian and Ukrainian hand pies that are traditionally filled with ground meat, mashed potato, hard-boiled eggs, cabbage, or fruit. The yeasted dough had to be made before our class to allow it to rise, but when students arrived they rolled out dough, chopped eggs and dill and mashed potato to add to the cabbage filling, filled and pinched the pirozhki, then fried them until beautifully golden brown. These were very popular treats and beloved by all.
In our closing circle everyone shared what food business they would have if given the opportunity.
