There are a half-dozen stores on Broad Street in New Britain which do the same thing Zieleniak…read moredoes. We just like the *way* they do it, and the way the place is laid out.
Most important is that the world of Eastern European delicatessens tends, in New Britain, to be very forgiving with regard to food and/or produce which looks old, tired, or just not fresh. We found this to be the same in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn (New York) when we lived nearby years and years ago. Zieleniak defies this tradition and we're glad they do.
We're not Polish, but really appreciate the cuisines of Poland, Hungary, and Germany (my family's heritage).
Start by getting good pickles and sauerkraut (you can get cabbage-only, or Polish kapusta, with carrots). These items once were offered in barrels -- the health department probably intervened, because one now needs to reach in to a refrigerator to retrieve these lovely, briny/vinegary items. I can't get enough kapusta. Not only do I put it on hot dogs (Martin Rosol natural-casing, or Hebrew National), but I put it on ham sandwiches, on old roast beef, and also plain cheese sandwiches.
A variety of good-quality fruits and vegetables is offered up front. We like the apples, and the choice of root veggies (celeriac, carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, and more). Cruciferous vegetables are also in abundance. A recent order of Brussels Sprouts was remarkably fresh and vibrant.
The delicatessen, however, is the heart of this market. There are several cheerless women of various ages who work behind the counter. God bless them, because between them, they manage to understand my poor pronunciation of the Polish-language price markers for the various cured hams, salami, and specialty charcuterie.
They have several different types of aspic-based cold-cuts ("Head Cheese" to the uninitiated). The light-colored one, with carrot shreds and some fresh herbs, is the one we prefer -- but they're all good, and sliced expertly, so it doesn't fall apart when one gets home.
You'll notice that whether aspic-based, ham, liverwurst, mortadella or salami, everything's well-conserved, sliced perfectly, and a *magnificent* value. The head cheese is $6.99 per pound (we've paid $16 a pound in NY City at Schaller & Weber). The garlicky salami is only $5.99 a pound -- we'd pay twice as much for such rich, garlicky flavor and a splendid balance of fat to meat. Pepper ham, garlic ham, fatty ham, and lean ham are no more than $6.99 but are probably $4.99 -- and all are just wonderful.
Get the cole slaw here if you're a cole slaw lover. Some call this slaw, with carrots, red cabbage and parsley in it, "calico slaw." Whatever you call it, it's wonderful. And they make cucumber salad with dill, onion and sour cream that will dissuade you, as it did us, from making your own. Who wants to peel, salt, drain, and slice cucumbers? Let them do it for you. They make this salad with rich, high-butterfat Polish-style sour cream. This sour cream is available for sale here (it's made in Illinois, but labeled nearly entirely in Polish, however).
Round out the trip by buying tea (great herbal tea variety available, here), marmalade and jelly, soup and gravy mixes, and exotic canned vegetables and fruits (we say 'canned,' but it's all in jars so you can see what you're getting).
Bread can be bought here, but you can also go down the street to one of the two decent bakeries. The bread, cake and cookie offerings are unremarkable.
Did I mention that this place is an excellent value? Go here for an adventure -- but bring your patience, you may wait on line a little while (we avoid this by going at about 2:30 on a weekday).
