by Jim Zieliński

Even as I type, Saint Patrick’s Day stepdances its verdant way into mental gloaming, but the memory of “Gah” and Lorie Gee’s Hibernian food fest lingers.  So do several cups of my homemade Colcannon (unsalted butter, mind you).  So I’m left with a horrible dilemma:  just heat and eat, or whip up some leprechaun-kissed potato cakes.

zee’s rocket city bEAT

by Jim Zieliński

Do youse ever lend your ear(s) to the “The Splendid Table” [www.splendidtable.org] with Lynne Rossetto Kasper, the friendly host, on WLRH?  Do!  This chick, whom I originally mistook for a slightly-over-the-top guy, is both in the know and a low-key alternative to the wrecked recipes and far-flung competitive cleavers of food-based boob-tubery.  Just some of the culinary topics she’s covered:  fresh-made - by YOU - tofu; introductions of “hot seeds” such as Za’atar oregano and heirloom Portuguese kale; how “official” (i.e. Modena) Balsamic Vinegars are made; and a Colcannon recipe that isn’t remotely as good as my own.

by Jim Zielinski

Two last minute Reminders…

Ginny Gilbert alerts us that one and all should check out the Open-Mic Night at Earth Fare [5900-C University Drive, NW; (256) 721-7017; www.earthfare.com] this Friday. Quell your intellectual and gustatory cravings in “one swell foop” - and don’t forget those Castelvetranos.

zee’s rocket city bEAT

by Jim Zieliński

Whilst recently lounging in hebetude at Huntsville Hospital with Mama-san, the ubiquitous Jason Graham, and his wife Teresa, being entertained by the notorious Roberta Flack Shafer (though of a truth, we were there to entertain her) the subject of food allergies arose. You know, Peanuts, Dairy, Gluten…all the more popular ones.

As a result, Mama-san noted MELLOW MUSHROOM [470 Providence Main Street; (256) 864-2727; http://mellowmushroom.com/store/huntsville], wherein Chef Ink is currently ensconced, can whip up a Gluten-Free Pizza at one’s beckon call. Who knew? Teresa added that RED ROBIN [365 The Bridge Street, Suite 113; (256) 327-8530] actually maintains several different menus (!?) offering selections created to thwart just about any allergy one can invent. Call first or visit the website if you want to confirm availability and pricing of this or that. BTW, I’m sure these guys are not alone; what I’m also sure of is these things don’t get advertised. Till now. I’ve been through anaphylactic edema too many times; parents tired of talk of histamines and mast cells - take heed and check out some of the places catering to your loved ones.

Last Time, It Was Morocco: next up for you xenophiles and culinary gadabouts is “Making Ravioli,” another FREE Technique Class hosted at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, 24 February by WILLIAMS-SONOMA [Parkway Place Mall—First Level; 2801 South Memorial Parkway; (256) 534-2008; www.williams-sonoma.com/. Classes typically run from 45 minutes to an hour, though with greater attendance and increased Q&A, they can run over a bit. But it’s well worth it! Ellen Cochran will demo this hands-on class (wondering just how hands-on they’ll get!) wherein one will have an opportunity to create fresh pasta sheets. Also addressed will be fillings, and how-to talk on stuffing and creating a simple sauce to go with one’s pasta pillows.

Now in its second year locally, the “Russian Pancake Brunch” returns to Huntsville as Maslenitsa: Russian Pancake Festival,” thanks to the International Society of Huntsville [http://internationalsocietyofhuntsville.org/] and community representatives from Russia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and more. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, 16 March. I’ll have to announce the location in the next issue. Meanwhile, here are the factoids:

Butter Week, Pancake Week, or Cheesefare Week takes place the last week before Great Lent and is best known as “Maslenitsa.” It is similar to the Western Carnival, Fasching, or Mardi Gras, though Orthodox Lent begins on Monday, instead of Wednesday. This year, Maslenitsa runs from 11 – 17 March, which leads to the timing of Saturday’s Pancake Festival. The key symbols of Maslenitsa, you might even say the mascot, is the blini (think blintz). Blini, with their round, golden warmth, hearken back to the sun and are thus harbingers of spring.Closer to crêpes than traditional pancakes as we know them, Russian blini may be eaten “straight,” incorporating extra ingredients in the batter, or topped or rolled and filled with various ingredients. Available fillings will range from honey, sour cream, sugar, and condensed milk to maple syrup, gems, and homemade cottage cheese. In addition to blini, this year’s menu boasts Olivier Salad (a traditional Eastern European specialty) and Russian desserts. Also available are hot/cold black or green tea, water, and kvas, a low-alcohol, fermented product that is treated as a soft drink. Sugar and jam will be available at the “fillings table” for the hot tea.

Participants will be able to view video/PowerPoint educational displays on the nations constituting the former USSR, learning history to Russian music in the background. Look for the gang from European Market Anastasia [Mason Plaza, 3023 Memorial Parkway, SW; (256) 882-7710; www.europeanmarketonline.com], who will satiate your Slavic desires with a variety of items while area craftspeople display their wares.

Also new for 2013 are performers Val Bratu (Romanian Keyboardist; Russian folksongs), Alla “Alika” Melnik and Naum Koyfman (Bayan players; Russian, Ukrainian, and other folksongs), and “Chervona Kalyna” (Natalliya Russo’s Slavic Dance Group). Children can enjoy Balloon Art, Kokoshnik (“Russian Crowns”) Workshops, and an Art Class with Tatyana Hankinson, and Russian cartoons will also be played. The cost is only $5 and the event is Open to the Public - but remember, attendees are requested to RSVP in advance at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . In fact, RSVP by 14 March! You may then pay at the door with cash or check. NASDROVIA!

And while we’re in an ethnic mood, forewarned is forearmed: my next column will address St. Patrick’s Day. Nevertheless, let’s close with something St. Paddy’s related, for you must needs make advanced reservations.

I’ve been alerted to the return of “AN IRISH EVENING”; the fifteenth, in fact, but with some interesting changes. You’ll still enjoy “Irish-themed food,” beverage samples, the Emerald Isle-inspired tunes of Bourbon and Shamrocks, fun and games with the Irish Society of North Alabama, the terpsichorean talents of the Fitness Art Center’s Irish Step Dancers, and a major Silent Auction, but General Admission tickets are now a much more budget-minded $25 each (including admission for one child age 12 and under w/each paid adult) and casual attire is being promoted…provided you’ve wearing Green. Celtic caveat.

The evening, as you may know, benefits United Cerebral Palsy [www.ucphuntsville.org/news/an-irish-evening]; this year, it will be held at the Historic Huntsville Depot Roundhouse at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 15 March. For tickets, purchase them online or at UCP Huntsville Centers, or contact UCP Fundraising Director Tracy Cieniewicz at (256) 859-4900 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Éirinn go Brách!