‘Taste of Serbia’ Returns Sept. 29 & 30

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
September 06, 2023
Posted in: Announcements

Members of Orkestar Pobeda will perform Sept. 30 during the “Taste of Serbia” festival at St. Sava church on Hartman Street. (Submitted photo via Facebook)

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church of McKeesport-Duquesne will hold its 2023 edition of “A Taste of Serbia” Sept. 29 and 30 in the parish social hall and courtyard, 901 Hartman St., McKeesport.

Festival hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 29 and 12 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30, said Dottie Ikach, a parish spokeswoman.

“Since the public grew to love Serbian foods and flavors over the years from past church events and McKeesport’s International Village, the fourth-annual ‘Taste of Serbia’ festival incorporates Serbian hospitality and culture,” Ikach said.

Rain or shine, patrons may dine inside the church hall or outside under the courtyard tent. Other options include walkup orders, take-out orders or pre-orders.

This year Orkestar Pobeda will provide live music on Sept. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. The multi-talented members are former Tamburitzans and close-knit friends including J.T. Kordisich, Andy Bronkaj, Ben Wagner, Dushan Rocknage and Nikola Vranesevich.

Spirits and soft drinks will be on sale at the kafana bar.

Protopresbyter Stevan Rocknage, pastor, will conduct tours of the church sanctuary and relate the history of Serbian Orthodoxy, traditions and customs. Favorite menu items include the famous award-winning St. Sava hand-breaded 12-ounce Haddock filet sandwich, available Friday only, and the boneless slow-roasted sliced lamb sandwich, available both days.

Other popular entrees include: Cevaps, classic hand rolled skinless meat sausages; Burek, savory meat and cheese pie in phyllo dough; Sarma, Serbian style stuffed cabbage; Grah i Kupas, sauerkraut and red kidney bean soup; Halushki, sauteed cabbage and onions with egg noodles; and hot sausage sandwich.

Sides include: Serbian potato salad or Serbian coleslaw, both made with a signature oil and vinegar dressing; and Serbian style green beans with garlic and tomatoes. A wide selection of pastries are available including: Apple strudel; palacinke, cheese-filled crepes; Gibanica, sweet cheese strudel; pineapple pita, moist cake layered with pineapple and topped with ground nuts, as well as nutrolls or apricot rolls.

The monumental effort of food preparation begins months in advance. Parishioners work side by side in the church kitchen week after week. Others like to prepare certain items at home, namely pastries. A variety of sweet treats will be for sale at a separate bakery table.

Pre-orders may be placed from Sept. 11 to 25 by calling (412) 287-6249. For a complete menu with prices and for online orders please go to www.stsavapa.org. Pre-orders must be paid by credit card. Cash or credit cards accepted on site during both days of the event.

There is no admission fee. Free parking will be available in the church lot plus street parking.

Originally published September 06, 2023.

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