Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

MARKET PROJECT

BY

NIGINA SAFAROVA

HNSC 2222-13555

PROFESSOR SCOTT BARTON

SPRING 2021

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
RAW NOTES ..................................................................................................................... 1

REFINED NOTES .............................................................................................................. 2

MEDIA ............................................................................................................................... 3

MENU ................................................................................................................................. 9

FINAL RECIPE ................................................................................................................ 10

ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................. 14

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................. 16

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

RAW NOTES

HALAL MEAT

64-46 108TH STREET

FOREST HILLS, NY 11375

(718) 806-1809

• Halal Uzbek/Russian produce grocery store.

• Staff speak Uzbek, Tajik, Russian, Spanish, and English

o Greater ratio of male staff than female

• Customers are diverse

o Mainly Russian speakers

o Central Asian, common from USSR states

o Halal consumers

• Products sold

o Beverages such as water, soda, & juice

o Bread & bakery

o Dairy, eggs & cheese

o Condiments & spices

o Snacks such as cookies, candy, & chips

o Deli with raw halal meat

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

REFINED NOTES

Halal meat is a small grocery store that is in Forest Hills. Most of the time there are fresh

produce outside of the store, as you enter the store you have leafy green vegetables on your left

and pastries in the fridge by the register on your right. Straight up the entrance you will see the

deli with raw meat served by the butchers. The store sells vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat (halal),

snacks (chips, candy, and cookies), bread, beverages, and many more basic supermarket

products.

Customers of the store are diverse such as people that consume halal diet, Uzbek, Tajik,

and Russian speakers, and are from USSR (Soviet Union) backgrounds. The store tends to have

limited space for high number of costumers at a time, but the staff provide great efficient service.

There are 3 registers usually 2 of them are open most of the time. The staff are always busy

restocking the shelves and counters any time of the day. The store carries many interesting

products from Uzbekistan and Russia that are usually not available in regular grocery stores.

I visit this store often because it is between my job and home. Most of the time I stop by

after work to purchase my favorites croutons, marinated baby tomatoes, and sunflower seeds.

The prices of the items are fair compared to similar grocery stores around the neighborhood. My

boss enjoys pistachios, she notified me about her favorite Turkish pistachios the store carries, so

I had to try, it was indeed delicious, but I cannot purchase it too often it is $8.99/lb. I am always

doubtful of the prepared food section, but everything prepared there seems fresh and delicious. I

purchased their cake slices “kievskiy” it is filled with walnuts and meringues about $5 a slice.

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

MEDIA

Figure 1 Front of Store

Figure 2 Front Register Counter by the entrance door

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

Figure 3 Samsa

(dough with meat/pumpkin)

Figure 4 Meat fresh

butchered

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

Figure 5 Uzbek Sage

Figure 6 Cumin

(commonly used in Uzbek food) and Russian soda (DONYA) in orange.

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

Figure 7 Dry Fruits and Nuts

Figure 8 Kurt (Qurt-drained dairy rolled into

round shape)

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

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Figure 9 Varity

of sunflower seeds

Figure 10

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

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Figure 11 FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Figure 12 FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

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MENU

Uzbek cuisine shares the culinary traditions from many Asian/Muslim countries. In Uzbek food

many of the dishes contain red meat as its seen wealthy product to consume daily. The list will

contain some main dishes from the Uzbek cuisine.

1. MAIN DISH: Plov (oil, white rice, carrots, red meat) cooked on stove in big pan. There

are many variations to this dish everyone adds something to their likings such as

potatoes, eggs, whole garlic, chicken, chickpeas, raisin and/or dried/marinated sour

cherries.

2. APPETIZER: Samsa (red meat and onions) baked in the oven. There are many

variations to this dish everyone adds something to their likings such as potatoes,

pumpkin, spinach, replaces red meat with chicken, or removes meat overall.

3. APPETIZER: Tandir non (round flat bread with sesame seeds) baked in fire clay oven

(TANDIR).

4. SALAD: Basic salad with all dishes (tomatoes, cucumbers, onion with salt & pepper)

5. Main/Appetizer: Manti (red meat, meat fat, and onions) cooked over steam. There are

many variations to this dish everyone adds something to their likings such as potatoes,

pumpkin, spinach, replaces red meat with chicken, or removes meat overall.

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

FINAL RECIPE

Uzbek Samsa Recipe (“Uzbek Samsa - OVENTales,” 2021)

A delicious appetizer filled with meat, minced lamb (other meat of choice) and onions. The crust

is flaky and crunchy while the meat filling is moist and delicious.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Resting time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

❖ For the Pastry Cover

✓ 2 C AP Flour Unbleached

✓ 1 C Warm Water as Needed

✓ 1/2 Tsp Salt

✓ 1 Tbsp Ghee Clarified Butter

❖ For Filling

✓ 1 lb. Minced lamb Not extra lean 15- 30% fat

✓ 3 Medium Onions Finely chopped

✓ 1 Tsp Salt

✓ 1 Tsp Fresh Ground Pepper

✓ 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds Lightly crushed

✓ 2 Tbsp Mint Leaves Chopped finely

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✓ 1 Tsp Minced Garlic

❖ Other Ingredients

✓ 1/4 C Ghee More if needed

✓ 1 Egg for Egg Wash

Instructions
❖ Make the Dough

1. Heat the water to warm. Mix the flour and salt together. Add the ghee and knead

using warm water (stand mixer about 4 to 5 minutes). The dough should be soft

and very pliable. Form into a ball, cover and set aside to rest for 20 minutes to 1

hour.

2. Divide the dough into at least 3 equal portions.

3. Lightly dust a work surface and roll out one portion of the dough into a thin

rectangle (2 to 3 mm thickness).

4. Generously spread some ghee all over the rectangle with a spoon or pastry brush.

5. Roll out the next portion of dough into a similar rectangle. Place it on top of the

first rectangle. Brush liberally with ghee and repeat the process with the remaining

portion(s).

6. Roll the stacked rectangle starting at the longer edge to form a log. Wrap the log in

a plastic wrap or parchment and chill for at least 30 minutes.

❖ Make the filling

✓ Finely chop the onions. Take 3 to 4 cups of chopped onions and add to the minced

lamb. Add all the remaining ingredients for the filling. Mix everything together

until uniform.

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❖ Shape Samsa

1. Remove dough from the fridge. Slice into about 18 to 20 equal pieces. Liberally

flour the work surface. Take each dough disc and flatten it using your palm (or a

thin rolling pin) to a circle of about 4-inch diameter. The edges should be thinner

than the center.

2. Divide the filling into as many equal portions as the dough discs.

3. Place one portion in the center of a disc. Imagine a triangle around the filling. Pick

up two side of the imaginary triangle and start pinching them close to the center.

4. Pick up the third side and close all sides by pinching. All three sides should meet at

the center, see video, (Oven Tales by Syama, 2018).

❖ Bake

1. Pre heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) with the oven rack in the center.

2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or coat with oil. Place the samsas on the

tray with the seam sides facing down.

3. Beat the egg with 1 tsp water to make the egg wash. Brush the tops of the samsas

with the egg wash.

4. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

5. Transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm.

❖ Notes

✓ Divide the dough into more portions to get more layers.

✓ Roll out the dough as thin as possible.

✓ If the ghee is solid, warm it lightly so that it is spreadable and not warm/bot.

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

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✓ When rolling the discs stop and return to the fridge if the ghee starts to ooze out of

the layers.

✓ Leave out the mint and garlic and add a pinch of coriander for more authentic

taste.

✓ Beef is a good substitute for lamb here.

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

ASSESSMENT

Uzbekistan is a former Soviet republic located in Central Asia. The country contains of

12 beautiful cities and capital city is Tashkent. The main language is Uzbek followed by Tajik

and Russian. The Uzbek language is common to Turkish, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz languages,

meanwhile Tajik is similar to Tajik (from Tajikistan), Bukharian and Persian languages.

Uzbekistan has many historic landmarks such as Registan of Samarkand, that is made up of three

symmetrical buildings with glazed clay tiles (History Hit, 2020). The typical way of shopping in

Uzbekistan is to go to bazaar. In bazaar you can find everything you need from food, clothing, to

furniture and equipment. There are many varieties of option when purchasing one product by

several sellers. Passing through the bazaar you will smell the aromas of various east spices,

smells of vegetables and fruit (“Bazaars in Uzbekistan / Simurg Travel,” 2020).

Halal meat store serves to a diverse community, but predominantly Muslim,

Uzbek and neighboring communities that share common interest in products as Uzbeks. This

store is in Forest Hills of Queens, the neighborhood is full of Uzbek, Tajik, Bukharian, Russian,

and diverse religions. I did not feel incentivized, because I shop at this store very often for

myself. The grocery store offers basic supermarket products such as vegetables, fruits, dairy,

meat (halal), snacks (chips, candy, and cookies), bread, and beverages. The market is most

popular for its fresh halal meat served by butchers. I usually visit the store after 5 PM and shop

in the store less than 10 minutes. I purchased $0.50 croutons, $3.50 jar of marinated baby

tomatoes, and $3.99 salted sunflower seed. I purchase these as a snack, and I enjoy it a lot. In the

past I have purchased marinated baby tomatoes in similar kind of grocery stores before but if it is

not the same brand and description, it does not meet my expectations. The usual customers are

females who are caring for their family starting from ages 20 and up, lower to middle class level

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

shopping for vegetables, baby food, soda, chocolates, and meat. I spoke to staff from register,

deli, and restocking, they are informative and polite. There are generally 2 staff at the register, 3

around the store restocking, and 3-4 around the deli. The popular food is samsa, manti, and shish

kebobs. Majority of the time all of these three are displayed at all the dinners, all contain meat

products.

The store is always kept neat and clean, all the items are labeled with price. Although the

store is small, it does have a lot of products that is imported internationally, and staff work super

efficiently to keep the store flowing with customers. Surprisingly, the prices are equivalent or

lower compared to stores around the store. The store is always full of people you do not get to

roam around to smell anything, and it is always noisy with customers and staff communications.

As humans we complete a lot of tasks through the day without fully observing and

analyzing our atmosphere. We make decisions within seconds such purchasing items for

consumption without looking around or thinking about the background. When one is born into a

culture, they tend to follow the trends of their culture and do not question authority. Sharing

common style with one and other builds bonds which get carried out and passed down to

generations. Ethnic dishes at every household have its own history and connection which one

attempts to recreate and enjoy. In the present, it is great to have diversity and be able to get

connected to your culture and share it with the world.

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021

Nigina Safarova April 30, 2021 HNSC 2222-13555

REFERENCE

1. Uzbek Samsa | Baked Mini Meat Pies. (2018, June 14). Retrieved March 15, 2021, from

OVENTales website: https://oventales.com/uzbek-samsa/

2. Oven Tales by Syama. (2018). Uzbek Samsa [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o__UY6ZNnzw

3. History Hit. (2020, November 24). Historic Sites in Uzbekistan. Retrieved April 25,

2021, from History Hit website: https://www.historyhit.com/guides/historic-sites-in-

uzbekistan/

4. Bazaars in Uzbekistan / Simurg Travel. (2020). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from

Simurgtravel.com website: http://simurgtravel.com/en/east-markets

Professor, Scott Barton Spring 2021