The Big Kvetch: Seattle hamantaschen noshin'
Where can you find some good Purim cookies around Seattle?
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Welcome to another edition of The Big Kvetch, It’s a Shanda’s mailbag. The prior mailbags can be found here and here in case you missed it. Thanks to everyone who sent in a question or query. There are more mailbags ahead (so keep your questions coming). This week is a very special Purim edition. Enjoy!
Hello! I’m reaching out because I have seen and enjoyed reading your bagel reviews, and I thought you may possibly have some suggestions for me. I’m looking for good hamantaschen options anywhere within a 2-hour drive of Seattle. Have you tried any that are actually good? Dingfelders, Zylberschtein’s, and Three Girls Bakery have been suggested so far. - Debbie
I’m gonna level with everyone. I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do for this week’s paid post. And then I got Debbie’s email and everything kinda fell into place.
The good news is that I am a huge hamantaschen-head. I could probably get an entire box of them and just go to town on the whole thing. I know that apricots, dates, and prunes are traditional but put me down for a dozen raspberry or cherry hamantaschen anytime.
The bad news is that I tend not to eat as much hamantaschen as I should. Given that it’s the Purim season and Debbie so kindly inquired about my thoughts, I feel inspired to get out there and gobble some up.
Alas, I didn’t have much time between getting the query and needing to get this post out there. So while I can’t personally vouch for any of these ‘taschen, I did some digging and found five places offering them. There may be others but I’ll present what I came across, in order of how appealing or intriguing they look.
Also, before we get into it, a little poll…
Blazing Bagels (Various)
Like so many things Blazing Bagels does, their hamantaschen looks over-the-top and only vaguely resembles what it’s supposed to be. That’s a croissant with some fruit in the middle from where I’m sitting. Per their socials, they offer apricot and dried plum options through March 31.
Zylberschtein’s (Pinehurst)
Zylberschtein’s has a link to order hamantaschen on their socials but you won’t be able to get them until Friday. If you want a sneak peek, you can see how they make them here. Based on the photos, it looks like they go heavy on the filling, which isn’t my preference. I like a little more balance with a flaky pastry. But to each their own hamantaschen. According to their website, the cookies will be available for pick-up between 3/22 and 3/24.
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