Baklava

Jacob and I ran errands this morning.  While he was at the armory, I took a few minutes to walk down to the CSI farmers market.  It turns out that the farmers market is really much more of a flea market and the only fresh produce there was rhubarb.  I wandered around and looked at the homemade wooden chairs, afghans, finger puppets, jams, pies, and even home cooked doggie treats.  Then I discovered this adorable little woman, in Eastern Europe clothing, missing a few teeth, but with a big friendly smile on her face. She was selling homemade Ukrainian Baklava.

I couldn’t help myself, I had to buy one. In case you’re wondering, baklava is an Arabic type pastry the size of a hot pocket, and filled with cinnamon, honey, and nuts.  I took my prize back to the armory and split it with Jake.  He’s had baklava before, while in Iraq.  It was yummy.  It was a little bit dry, but it was also flaky and sweet.  I liked it a lot!

There are lots of different opinions about the CSI refugee program.  I know that the refugees qualify for government welfare, and don’t speak English, and are from countries that are often received with raised eyebrows when mentioned, but I for one am benefitting from it.  I am learning a lot about other cultures because they are here, and that is a good thing.  How else would I ever have gotten to try homemade baklava?  I am certainly not going to Ukraine any time soon. So, if you’re in town and feel like experiencing something a little bit different and new, I would recommend stopping by CSI on a Saturday morning between 9-1.  Who knows what you might find?!