Pierogi & European Dumplings: A Freezer-Aisle Guide

If there's one aisle at SweetCo Euro Foods & Bakery that turns first-time visitors into regulars, it's the freezer. European dumplings — pierogi, varenyky, pelmeni, and their cousins — are the ultimate comfort food: authentic, affordable, and dinner-ready in fifteen minutes. Here's your guide to what's in the case at our three Upstate South Carolina stores.

Know Your Dumplings

• Pierogi (Polish) — half-moon dumplings with potato and cheese, sauerkraut and mushroom, or fruit fillings
• Varenyky (Ukrainian) — the Ukrainian cousin, often filled with potato, cabbage, or sweet cherries
• Pelmeni (Russian) — smaller, meat-filled dumplings traditionally served with sour cream and dill
• Khinkali and manti — the larger, juicier dumplings from the Caucasus and Central Asia

How to Cook Them Right

1. 1Boil straight from frozen in salted water until they float, then one minute more
2. 2For pierogi and varenyky, pan-fry after boiling in butter with onions until golden
3. 3Serve with smetana (European sour cream) and fresh dill — never skip this step
4. 4For pelmeni, try the broth method: serve them in the cooking liquid with black pepper and a spoon of sour cream

The Toppings That Make It

The dumpling is only half the dish. Pick up real smetana from our dairy case, smoked bacon or kielbasa to crisp and crumble on top, and fresh dill. A jar of pickled cucumbers on the side rounds out the plate the way it's done back home.

Sweet Ones Count Too

Don't overlook fruit-filled varenyky — cherry and blueberry dumplings tossed in butter and sugar are a beloved dessert across Eastern Europe. Kids love them, and they cook just as fast.

Stock Your Freezer

Visit us at 364 Spartanburg Hwy in Wellford, or in Inman at 10471 Asheville Hwy #10 and 5545 Highway 9 Ste D. Hours: Mon–Thu & Sat 9 AM–9:30 PM, Fri 9 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9:30 PM. Smacznego!