I recently purchased these biscuits at the little Russian shop at the shopping centre near where I live. They might look like walnuts but they’re far from them. The walnut halves are a dense cakey biscuit and they’re stuck together with a caramelised condensed milk filling (isn’t that just dulce de leche?!). There’s also a single peanut in the centre, which adds a nice surprise.
They’re labelled on the back in English as “Grandma’s nuts with condensed milk and peanuts” and there are also names in German and Russian. The German name seems to be a direct translation but alas, I don’t read Cyrillic script and so have no idea if Russians also call them Grandma’s nuts (giggle). Does anyone know what they’re called in Russian? Are they still the nuts of Grandma?
Not really related, but my Shoot and Eat post on Londonist this month came out yesterday. Go and take a look - this time it features sweet treats from Cafe Ciao near Leicester Square.
Sat, 15 Mar, 2008 at 04:30
that is funny, I hope you find out what they are called.
Sat, 15 Mar, 2008 at 22:35
I have to agree with you about the pistachio gelato at Café Ciao - but I’ve found the service there to be a bit hit and miss (there’s a reaaaally surly waitress there). I much prefer Scoop’s gelatos!
Sun, 16 Mar, 2008 at 22:28
This is very interesting. There is a local Russian deli near me. I’ll take this post to them and see if they know.
Sun, 16 Mar, 2008 at 22:38
kat: Thanks! I hope someone is familiar with this biscuit!
Charmaine: I have a feeling I know which one you’re talking about…
Sun, 16 Mar, 2008 at 23:12
White on Rice Couple: Wow! thanks! The lady working at the Russian place near me wasn’t terribly forthcoming with info…
Try some of those cubes of frozen flavoured curd cheese - they’re really nice!
Mon, 17 Mar, 2008 at 08:43
Sorry to disappoint you, but generally they are just called “nut biscuits” in Russian (and, giggle-wise I am pretty sure “nuts” doesn’t have the same slang meaning as it does in English).
Look at the Russian label, “granny’s nuts” should look something like this “БАБУШКИНЫ ОРЕШКИ”.
You are right about the condensed milk thing though, it’s quite popular in Russia - one way is to just boil a tin of it until it (the milk, not the tin!) goes all brown and caramely and then spread it on bread.
Mon, 17 Mar, 2008 at 23:37
slonik: Oh, I am a little disappointed! At least the mystery has been solved - I’ll have to dig out the photo of the wrapping to check the name. Thank you so much!
Thu, 20 Mar, 2008 at 08:03
These are awesome! I must now be off on a mission to figure out how these little jewels are made! (pun intended) =)
Sun, 30 Mar, 2008 at 15:21
Allison: Hehehehehehe! Do let us know how it turns out!
Wed, 2 Apr, 2008 at 10:53
Su Lin - it brings a smile to my face knowing that “nut” humor is universal! Grandma’s nuts! I can’t get over how awesome that is. And anything with dulce de leche brings an even BIGGER smile to my face.
Sat, 5 Apr, 2008 at 22:20
Gastronomer: Nuts!
And I had no idea that condensed milk in desserts seems to be quite universal too - I only discovered it not too long ago (well, a few years).