German-Russian food traditions featured on Prairie Public Radio
Host of Prairie Plates, Rick Gion, recently welcomed Jeremy Kopp, interim director, and Michael Miller, director emeritus, from the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at North Dakota State University, for a lively conversation on how food, heritage, and community continue to shape North Dakota’s cultural landscape.
The radio segment explores beloved traditional German-Russian dishes such as knoephla soup, cheese buttons (kase knoephla), and kuchen, while weaving in personal stories and memories that connect these recipes to family traditions. From Cindy’s Lunchbox in Wishek to Louie’s in West Fargo, listeners also get a taste of where to find these comforting foods today across the region.
In addition to the culinary conversation, the episode offers a preview of the upcoming Lawrence Welk documentary screening, taking place May 31 in Bismarck, and highlights the GRHC’s extensive archive of community cookbooks, many of which are still available for purchase.
Through stories of food and family, the broadcast celebrates the enduring spirit of the German-Russian people — a resilient immigrant legacy that continues to thrive in kitchens and communities across North Dakota.
👉 Listen to the full interview online.
👉 Explore our cookbooks for sale in our online store.