Pusharatas: A Croatian Christmas Tradition

Pusharata Photos © Slavic Ladies Auxillary

Igrew up one street from my grandparents from birth until the age of 12. Around age 5, I would often pack my Strawberry Shortcake suitcase with only my finest attire and retreat to my grandmother’s house. It mattered not to me what time of the season it was; I was going to make my way to her house for a visit. Seems even then I was a gypsy traveler that marched to my own song and dance. In my Southern, sass mouth way, I would inform my mother that I had to go stay with Granny for a few days because we had things to do. Although, I will never know if Granny knew of my mental itinerary, but I had everything mentally planned for us during my hiatus. As I set out on my journey to the house on the hill, I could see her house from the end of my street, my mother would considerately phone my grandmother to say, “She’s on her way.” That information never deterred my Granny’s excitement to meet me outside on her inviting porch. Her hospitable welcome is a fond memory even to this day.

Every person has those childhood memories that never leave you during Christmas time. In my family, we would open one special gift on Christmas Eve. Our family traditions and entertainment ran deep while my grandmother was alive. Perhaps it was the free entertainment of my identical twin uncles disagreeing over who was going to brine the turkey correctly the night before Christmas. Maybe even my Granny humming to her Bing Crosby Christmas album that turned on her antique vinyl player while she cleaned crab shells for stuffing. But my most fond memory is the day before Christmas Eve when she and I would travel over the bridge to Biloxi for our annual ‘girls’ trip’ to downtown Biloxi.

Anyone who grew up in South Mississippi and would travel east to west had to cross the Ocean Springs – Biloxi Bridge on Highway 90. This connector was a fun ride to say the least. My Granny’s brand new 1982 Buick Park Avenue would look as if it were going to defy gravity at any moment. The advanced hydraulic system did not stand a chance. The old bridge had given way to an engineered bounce of road waves going to and from Back Bay Biloxi. Once we were on the other side of that automotive yoga, we arrived at the Ladies Auxiliary of the Slavonian Lodge annual pusharatas fundraiser sale.

Since 1975, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Slavonian Lodge have been making their Croatian delicacy, pusharatas, have become a Gulf Coast tradition. These heavenly little mounds of small cake include chopped fruits and nuts, various spices, which are then deep fried and glazed to be boxed by the dozen. Today, the ladies make over 1,500 dozen, preordered pusharatas with a waiting list for those who do not pick up preorders. What began as a fundraiser has now turned into an opportunity to fund scholarships for family of members and contribute donations within their community.

Pusharata is a Yugoslavian pastry that is more like a small, round cake filled with fruit and covered with a powdered sugar glaze. They are a labor of love for the ladies of the auxiliary. All the fruits and nuts must be chopped by hand. A traditional pusharata calls for flour, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, milk, finely chopped apples, oranges, lemons and raisins. Once all the ingredients are combined to create a batter, they are scooped into balls and deep fried. When it is removed from the frying oil, it is bathed in the powdered sugar glaze and set on a rack for cooling. The Slavonian ladies look forward to this annual event, even staying up frying the little mouth-watering poppers until 3 a.m. No matter how exhausting the effort is, the tradition remains strong in this South Mississippi community.

The Slavic Ladies Auxiliary debuted their first cookbook in 1985 where tight lipped, traditional recipes and stories were introduced amongst the Gulf Coast community. Thankfully, after 37 years, a new set of rich, cultural traditional recipes are offered in their new cookbook which will feature generous contributions from members and friends. If you would like to purchase the new cookbook, please email Deb Stanovich at sla.biloxi.ms@gmail.com. The cost of the new cookbook is $20.

If you would like to enjoy this timeless tradition with your family, you can be added to the waiting list. You will need to include your name, phone number, email address and how many dozen you would like to purchase. Send to sla.biloxi.ms@gmail.com. The cost per dozen is $9.

While this beloved tradition continues here in South Mississippi, one thing remains, I will forever hold my memories of these delicious treats near and dear to my heart.

LIFE