Sushki

Sushki are delightful, small, crunchy bread rings from Eastern Europe, enjoyed as a sweet treat with tea or coffee. The name "sushka" comes from the Russian word "sushit" which means "to dry." These tasty rings are made from a simple dough comprising flour, eggs, water, and salt. After shaping the dough into rings, they are briefly boiled in sugar water and then baked to perfection. Typically, sushki are about 3 to 5 cm in diameter and sometimes sprinkled with poppy seeds for added flavor.

Historically, sushki were sold on strings at local markets, making them easy to carry and enjoy. Nowadays, you can find packaged versions in stores across the former Soviet Union and in international markets that offer Russian foods.

Eastern Europe boasts similar ring-shaped bread products. For instance, there are Belarusian and Russian baranki, Ukrainian bubliki, and Polish obwarzanki krakowski. These are larger and softer than sushki but share the same general shape. In Russian and Ukrainian, these products are often called "bubliki" while in Belarusian, they are referred to as "abaranki." Collectively, these treats fall under the category of "baranka-type products." For smaller versions resembling sushki, the term "bublitchki" is sometimes used.

For those familiar with Italian cuisine, taralli are a comparable type of bread ring, offering a similar crunchy texture and delightful taste.