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Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, and because I’m a fan of both Azerbaijani food and wordplay, you know that I was compelled to check out this new Brighton Beach café the instant I saw its name.

Kutabi (you might see qutabi) are one of the country’s traditional snacks. A circle of thin dough about ten inches in diameter is filled, folded in half, and griddled to dappled perfection. A display of four varieties caught my eye as I entered: minced beef, pumpkin, cheese, and mixed greens. You also know that I was compelled to buy one of each for home research!

Peeling back the layers, the deftly seasoned beef was dotted with tiny, tart red berries (I’m guessing zereshk – barberries), the pumpkin revealed a hint of sweetness (a good contrast for the beef), the crumbly cheese (I’m guessing çökelek, aka şor) was pleasantly tangy, and mixed greens (I’m guessing dill, scallions, and cilantro) were subtly herbaceous. Sprinkled with a bit of sumac, the bread itself was soft and flavorful; a side of yogurt came along for the ride.

So now I have a new favorite source for kutabi and a new stop on our Exploring Eastern European Food in Little Odessa ethnojunket. And next time I’m there, I’m hoping to shake the hand of the person who came up with that clever business name!
 
 
Stay safe, be well, and eat whatever it takes! ❤