Bell’s Market is an adventure in grocery shopping. Located in Philadelphia’s Northeast where there are large Eastern European and Russian communities, Bells’s Market carries imported groceries from all over Eastern Europe and has a busy bakery specializing in Eastern European baked goods. This place is huge and also quite affordable.

Every time I shop here I come home with a basket of fascinating new foods to try. Here are my suggestions for you if you want to treat yourself to a little grocery adventure:

– Traditional Georgian shoti bread. A chewy white flour bread shaped like a canoe!

– Ajvar. A staple of Balkan tables, Ayjvar is a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread. I recommend the spicy version.

– Bulgarian sheep cheese. (feta) You have to taste this creamy and piquant feta cheese popular in the Balkans. 

– Hamentashen. Oh-so-buttery and flaky triangular cookies filled with fruit, a traditional cookie made for the Jewish holiday of Purim.

– Ayran. A salty yogurt drink popular in Eastern Europe and Turkey. So refreshing when served with grilled meats and sandwiches.

– Russian Raisin Cake. Slice it, toast it, and spread butter on it for a yummy breakfast, snack or dessert.