Tired of the same old Thanksgiving recipes this year? Shock and impress your family with an international twist on Thanksgiving dinner! Share exciting flavors from across the globe that Toledo has to offer with unique ingredients from around the world found at its numerous grocery stores – from Indian blends to Mediterranean masterpieces. With classes and markets catering to several cuisines and palates, the possibilities are endless for your holiday menu!
With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to show off your culinary skills and explore new recipes. Toledo offers an abundance of grocery stores with ingredients from around the world, so why not take advantage of this cultural opportunity? Cook up something special that you’ve never made before and gain confidence as you travel through flavors from around the globe. There are plenty of cookbooks available for purchase or checkout at your local library, as well as cooking classes for any level – no matter what cuisine you choose!
Learn the culinary delights of Indian Food with Foodology
Discover the culinary delights of Indian food with a class from Foodology! With professional instructors, you’ll learn to make butter chicken, tikka masala, and even kulfi (Indian ice cream). Reddy Food & Spices (6725 Central Ave G, Toledo, OH 43617) is an exclusive 24 Mantra Organic retailer that offers organic Indian ingredients like flour, rice, and snacks. They also carry Ayurvedic foods – centuries-old staples of Indian culture that promote physical, mental, and spiritual health. For Middle Eastern and Mediterranean meals, pick up cookbooks from Toledo Library like Zahav by Mike Solomnov and Shuk, Ripe Figs, Ottolenghi, and Sea Salt & Honey. The Middle East Market (4625 W Bancroft St #3945, Toledo, OH 43615) is another great option for Middle Eastern ingredients, offering bulk grains, spices, Halal meats and fresh produce at budget-friendly prices.
Explore Latin American Flavors
Visit Al Nur Market & Grill (4933 Dorr St, Toledo, OH 43615), Cedar Fresh Market (5464 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43623), and Tiger Bakery (4215 Monroe St. Toledo, OH 43606) for all your culinary needs! Looking to explore Latin American flavors? Check out Sofia Quintero Community Center for its incredibly rich and diverse cooking classes. With past offerings including paella and moqueca (Brazilian fish stew), there is something for everyone! Don’t forget to swing by La Candelaria Mexican Store (2625 Airport Hwy, Toledo, OH 43609) for fresh meats, cheeses, produce, chiles, and canned goods. And in the summer months, be sure to try their paletería (popsicle) case! Finally, visit San Marcos Grocery (235 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43604) for a truly unique experience!
Celebrate the Holidays with Traditional Dishes
At the 577 Foundation, students will be delighted to learn about dishes from all over the world that are traditionally served to celebrate Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and Feast of the Seven Fishes (Italian-American Christmas Eve). With a bit of background on each meal’s cultural history and hands-on practice, participants can walk away feeling confident to cook these meals at home. For those most interested in Italian dishes, the Sofo Foods (5400 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43623) market is the perfect place to shop for ingredients. Furthermore, the Foodology Pierogi class offers an opportunity to explore traditional Polish markets and combine traditional and non-traditional fillings such as farmer’s cheese, peaches, potatoes, and kielbasa.
Stanley’s Market (3302 Stickney Ave, Toledo, OH 43608) – North Toledo’s staple Polish grocer since 1932 – proudly offers a whole section of their website dedicated to recipes for delicious sides to accompany pierogies. Find every ingredient you need to make kielbasa or cabbage dishes, paczki, soups, and more. Even if you have moved away, Stanley’s conveniently offers shipping options that allow homesick Toledoans to enjoy these traditional meals from anywhere in the world!
Experience the Amazing Flavors of Zavotski Custom Meat & Deli and Kolachi Bazaar
Experience the amazing flavors of Zavotski Custom Meat & Deli located at 2600 W Sylvania Ave # 101, Toledo, OH 43613, and Kolachi Bazaar located at 6831 Angola Rd, Holland, OH 43528. These two unique establishments provide a delicious variety of culinary delights sure to tantalize the taste buds. Customers will be delighted with the quality and selection available from these two premier restaurants.
Cookbooks to Try Out Asian-Inspired Recipes
Americans have been exploring new techniques and expanding their palates at home in recent years, thanks to the tantalizing flavors of Asian-inspired cooking. Those looking to try out some of these delicious recipes can find many resources, such as the Sushi Class at Foodology or any number of cookbooks available from libraries and bookstores. Among the best of these cookbooks are The Asian Home Kitchen, Sambal Shiok, Ever-Green Vietnamese, East, Kin Thai, L.A. Son, and the highly anticipated Stir Crazy, which is due for release in 2023 and available for pre-order.
But, for those looking for a one-stop shop for all of their international cooking needs, Tee Oriental Food & Gifts has been the premier go-to destination for nearly 30 years. Located at 1101 N McCord Rd in Toledo, Ohio, this establishment offers customers an extensive selection of Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Japanese ingredients, including sushi rice, dumpling wraps, seafood, spices, and hard-to-find produce. It’s no wonder that Tee Oriental Food & Gifts has been praised by countless customers, earning a wealth of positive reviews.
Discover Afro-Asian-American Flavors with Between Harlem & Heaven
Toledo Library invites you to explore the culinary creations of chefs Alexander Smalls and JJ Johnson in their book Between Harlem & Heaven. This unique cookbook blends a unique Afro-Asian-American flavor profile that is the result of thirty years of exploration into African diaspora food. Immerse yourself in a delicious experience of flavors from around the world and feel proud to discover recipes that bring people together. Other African cookbooks available from Toledo Library include In Bibi’s Kitchen, Bress ‘N’ Nyam, and Black Food.
Asian Grocery & African & Indian Grocery (1801 N McCord Rd # C, Toledo, OH 43615) is the perfect place to find all the ingredients you need for a delicious and diverse meal. With a comprehensive selection of African food, as well as Indian, Filipino, Thai, Laos, Japanese, Korean, Cambodian, Jamaican, and Vietnamese food, anyone can explore the possibilities of fusion cooking!
The city of Toledo offers its explorers a world filled with incredible flavors and new recipes to try. From Indian to Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Latin American cuisine, there’s something for everyone to discover here. Travel through cultures, techniques, and flavors while gaining skills and confidence in the kitchen. With professional cooking classes and important ingredients located at stores near you, your options for delicious homemade meals are limitless. Enjoy your journey into the unique Gastronomy of Toledo!
