Recipe - Runzas History

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Syrus

Runzas are known by a variety of names and the original recipes were
brought to the new world by RussianGermans emigrants. They are called
"Bierocks" by the Molotschna German Mennonites, were bread pockets amply
filled with a mixture of ground beef, onion and cabbage. A little like a
hamburger sandwich they made a handy meal, were served hot or cold and made
ideal traveling companions for trips or picnics.

The word Bierock is related to the Turkish word "Berok or Boerek". Today,
in the Crimean city of Simferopol (where Mennonites went to school or went
shopping) they are called cherbureki and sold on the street. Simferopol is
proud and passionate about this meat pie.

People all over the world serve meat filled bread. England has its Cornish
Pasties (which are very good). Italians make calzones (pizza in a pocket).
The Polish fill pirogi with ham and cabbage. Turks love a combination of
lamb, tomato paste and pine nuts in their bread. The Volga Germans from
Russia, neighbors of the Mennonites had their Krautbrot or Krautrunzen.

Bierocks, Krautbrot, Krautranzen or Runza or what ever the name is still a
favorite with the GermanRussian families in Canada and the United States.

Clayton Schmitt Mail = schmittc@chiriqui.com Boquete, Chiriqui Republic of
Panama
Posted to MCRecipe Digest by valerie@nbnet.nb.ca (valerie) on May 2, 1998