Summer Borscht and Rollkuchen

I come from a Mennonite family. My mother's Mennonite background is different than my Dad's. Mennonite is a bit of a weird word because it is both a faith and a culture. While most Mennonites share the same faith there are many different cultures. My mother is from a Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite background where they make food like red beat eggs, shoe fly pie and ham balls (I laugh every time someone says "Ham Balls" because I think it sounds like a funny name for a food). My dad comes from a Low-German Mennonite background where they make thing like summer borscht and rollkuchen, which happen to be my favourite Low-German Mennonite meal. I actually made this meal for dinner tonight because my parents let me choose what to cook. I got the summer borscht recipe from my Grandma and the rollkuchen recipe from Mennonite Girls Can Cook (on page 145). If you would like to try this I have the recipe for it below the pictures.

Rollkuchen (Fried Bread) From Mennonite Girls Can Cook

• 5-6 cups flour

• 3 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 cup milk

1. Combine 5 cups flour with the baking powder and salt.

2. Beat eggs, sour cream, and milk together and ad to dry ingredients.

3. Continue to add flour until a soft dough forms.

4. Chill dough 1-2 hours for easier handling.

5. Divide the dough in half; roll out thin on a floured surface. If you prefer softer Rollkuchen, roll the dough thicker.

6. Cut strips of dough about 2 x 4-inches. Make 2 slits in the centre of each strip.

7. Gently stretch the piece before dropping them into the hot oil

8. Deep-fry in hot oil over medium heat until golden on one side. Flip and fry until the other side turns brown.

9. Serve with fresh watermelon

My Grandma's Summer Borscht

Cut up pieces of smoked farmer sausage and put in pot

Fill pot 1/3 full of water

1 Tbsp salt

Bring to boil and add spice ball full of dill and onion

Simmer for 30-60 minutes

Fill the rest of the pot with potatoes and add more water if needed

When potatoes are soft, add one container of sour cream

Add salt to taste.