Sour Cherries and Sunflowers

Gabi's Review

Sour Cherries and Sunflowers by Anastasia Zolotarev is a heartfelt exploration of Eastern European cuisine, blending Ukrainian and Belarusian traditions with easy-to-follow recipes.

With over 80 dishes, from sweet Blueberry and Buckwheat Pancakes to savoury Pyrizhky and Varenyky dumplings, the cookbook balances traditional and innovative dishes. Zolotarev’s personal stories of family gatherings add warmth, while recipes like Honey, Walnut, and Soured Cream Cake showcase regional flavours.

Critics praise the books cultural depth and accessibility. I can confirm that ingredients like sour cherries are readily available in the frozen section of Farmer Jacks, but the dried version from a health food store has more flavour. A gem for home cooks seeking authentic, evocative Eastern European fare, or a necessary addition for those like me who collect beautiful cookbooks.