Description

Pirozhki is the plural form of pirozhok, literally a “small pie”, also used as piroshki (singular piroshok) are Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian puff pastry which consists of individual-sized baked or fried buns stuffed with a variety of fillings. Pirozhki are part of Russian cuisine and are closely associated with Russian culture through which it became famous from Europe to Asia. A common variety of pirozhki are baked stuffed buns made from yeast dough and often glazed with egg to produce the common golden color. They commonly contain meat, typically beef, or a vegetable filling such as mashed potatoes, mushrooms, onions and egg, or cabbage. Pirozhki could also be stuffed with fish such as salmon or with an oatmeal filling mixed with meat or giblets. Sweet-based fillings could include stewed or fresh fruit including but not limited to apples, cherries, apricots, chopped lemon and sometimes jam, quark or cottage cheese. The buns may be plain and stuffed with the filling, or else be made in a free-form style with strips of dough decoratively encasing the filling.

Pirozhki size can be slightly smaller than a hamburger and some types are eaten as a meal.  Another version is smaller and is usually served in pairs accompanying soup.

In the past the ingredients of Pirozhki would contain more vegetables and fruits, as well as duck, goose and rabbit meat which are uncommon today.

The Iranian version,”pirashki”, is often eaten as a dessert or as a street food. It is commonly filled with cream. Potato and meat fillings are also popular. Some pastry shops sweet shops may offer versions of Pirashki such as chocolate and blueberries.