Sour Cherries and Sunflowers

Explore Eastern European food culture and identity, through over 80 delicious, entirely achievable recipes.

Food is grounding; it connects us to our past, moves with people across borders, and is ever evolving. Anastasia Zolotarev draws on her Ukrainian and Belarusian heritage and celebrates the food and flavours of Eastern Europe. Through the pages, she finds the balance between preserving tradition and sharing the evolution of her family’s recipes. 

Sour Cherries & Sunflowers celebrates culture and connection, with recipes to preserve and feed the soul. For slow mornings at home, there are Blueberry and Buckwheat Pancakes, whilst Pyrizhky and Varenyky dumpling recipes are shared with tales of family gatherings around the table. You’ll find open rye sandwiches and Blini for celebrations and special gatherings, everyday recipes like babka and borsch, as well as salads, preserves, and even desserts such as Honey, Walnut and Soured Cream Cake and Plum Rogaliki cookies.

About the Author

Anastasia Zolotarev is a Ukrainian recipe developer and food stylist based in Sydney. Passionate about connecting food with community, she hosts intimate supper clubs and workshops where she teaches home cooks how to make piroshky, honey cake and other signature Eastern European recipes. She also runs sell-out fundraisers and initiatives to support Ukrainian organisations and charities. In 2016 she took part in Masterchef Australia and since then has regularly worked with brands such as Harris Farm and Hello Fresh.