Local Kielbasa, Pierogi, and Kraut

Buying Local & Cooking Quickly (dinner in 20 minutes)

Today’s post is a love letter to this meal we’ve been enjoying lately, comprised of all local products. I simply want to share this with you so that you might enjoy it at home as well. As a WNYer, chances are most of you are familiar with the components. But if you have been buying these items pre-packed from the freezer department of you local big grocer, I encourage you to give these local products a try and taste the difference. As a bonus, the products featured in this meal are prepared in such a way that it only requires about 20 minutes of your time to have this plate ready for your table.

The Kielbasa

Earlier this year, in the quest for farm-fresh eggs, we discovered much more at Strobel Farms at 3690 Coomer Road in Newfane. Since then, we’ve been making a monthly pilgrimage to purchase our eggs and other proteins. If Newfane is too far for you, you can also order online and take advantage of their numerous drop off points. They also participate in the Hamburg Farmer’s Market.

One of the items we cannot resist picking up is the Smoked Kielbasa which is offered plain, with cheese, or with red pepper. It’s already cooked (smoked) and thus requires only a brief visit on the grill pan to warm up and get a little char. Then it’s ready for your plate, in minutes.

The Pierogi

We have no shortage of pierogi purveyors in WNY these days. Our favorite are Keeping Traditions Barbie-Pierogi. With thin, light dough and generous filling, these pierogi require no boiling and go from freezer, straight to the pan along with oil, butter, and onions. Being able to skip the boiling step allows us to bring this meal together quickly, in about 20 minutes.

Keeping Traditions Barbie-Pierogi are of course, available in the traditional varieties of farmer cheese, sauerkraut and potato. But they also offer a line of specialty pierogi such as Buffalo wing, cheese stuffed banana pepper, and sweet potato. Most recently, a line of “Drunken Pierogi” were launched featuring whiskey BBQ pork and cheddar potato, white wine cheese stuffed mushroom, and beer soaked kraut and kielbasa.

Scroll to the bottom of their website to find a list of retailers carrying their product. We tend to buy ours at Buffalo Artisan Food Traders, slightly hidden in the Whole Foods plaza at 4558 N Bailey Avenue (crossroad: Sheridan Drive).

The Kraut

This one was a trickier find for us. We knew that we saw it somewhere, but where? Is it turns out, the answer again was Strobel Farms, who carriers not only their own products but also those of other trusted, farms and businesses. This crisp kraut from Stoltzfus Family Farms, was less wet with a stronger punch of flavor that you get from most store-bought, canned varieties. Jeff really enjoyed it and he normally passes on the kraut.

We love eating local and supporting our local farmers. What other farm stores or stands can you recommend we check out? Please tell us in the comments.