Pierogi chefs needed

Rachel Lansner with "Oliver Onion" Pierogi

It has become a Mustang Lacrosse ritual: Selling pierogi at the International Food Faire! They’ve been a hot-selling hit in previous years. (Last year’s story!).

Don’t know what a pierogi is? Pierogi (say “pi-ro-gi”) is an Eastern European dumpling most commonly filled with potato and cheese ingredients — it’s a popular food in many towns back east. We’re looking for parent “chef” volunteers to purchase and cook pierogi and bring them to school for the Faire where we represent Poland!

• When? Deliver them to school on Thursday, March 25. (Where to put them is TBA!)
• What? You can buy them in the freezer aisle at most supermarket — we’ve found Mrs. T’s at Ralph and Stater Bros. in the neighborhood; Albertsons sells Golden Gourmet brand; and Trader Joe’s has carried some of their own as well.
• What? We need to provide at least 500 pierogi for the Faire. We figure each volunteer can handle 4 dozen. (It’s a donation to the team that sells pierogi to THHS students during the Food Faire lunch!)
• How? Boil them on Wednesday night, place them in Ziploc-like container in refrigerator overnight. Fry them in butter until golden brown on Thursday morning and wrap them in foil. Have your player drop them at place TO BE DETERMINED before school.
• Who? To volunteer, just click here to email The Lansners!

[ IF YOU JUST WANT TO DONATE THE COST — $20 — THAT’S OK, TOO ]

Pierogi Trivia:

• Spelled — depending on ethnicity — perogi, perogie, pierogi, perogy, pirohi, piroghi, pirogi, pirogen, pierogy, pirohy, pyrohy.
• Fillings? Mashed potatoes and cheese, cabbage, sauerkraut, peppers, ham, beef or mushrooms plus for the sweet tooth: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, peach, plum, apple or prunes.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates actually host “The Great Pierogi Race” between innings featuring four costumed, over-sized pierogi: Jalapeño Hannah, Cheese Chester, Sauerkraut Saul and Oliver Onion (see picture above!)
• If you’re crazy enough to make ’em — here’s a recipe for Potato and Jalapeno Pepper Pierogi from Pierogies Plus in Pittsburgh!