The Russian Kitchen

The tastiest dishes of the Yamal nomads
 
The Yamal Peninsula in Siberia is home to over 10,000 people, the largest number of nomads in Russia. They are mostly Nenets, Khanty and Selkup. Once a year, they come to the towns to celebrate ‘Reindeer Herder’s Day’ and present their culture to the urban dwellers. During this festival in Salekhard, we enjoyed a rare opportunity to taste some of the unique dishes of the nomads.
 
The main dish is called ‘stroganina’ (Photos 1&2). It’s frozen raw fish sliced in thin, almost transparent shavings. The slices can be dipped into a mixture of salt and pepper. Sometimes, they prepare venison the same way.
 
In Yamal, people also eat cooked fish (3). The most popular kinds of fish are vendace and whitefish. They are usually baked or fried and used as stuffing for pies.
 
The traditional hot dish is ‘ucha’ or ‘shurpa’ (4). This is a thick and very hearty soup.

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Pavel Kuzmichev
 
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RECIPE: Korean-style carrots

Immigrants from Korea brought with them a method of marinating carrots, and it quickly became one of the favorite Svoiet snacks.

Ingredients for 10 servings:
Large carrots - 1 kg
Sugar - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Vinegar - 2 tbsp
Pepper - to taste
Coriander, red paprika, tumeric, majoram, cumin - 1/2 tsp each
Garlic - 5 cloves
Onion - 1 head
Sunflower oil - 80-90 ml

Preparation:
1. Peel large carrots. Chop them into thin slices.
2. Salt the carrots and knead with your hands.
3. Heat the oil and add large chunks of onion and coriander seeds. Remove the onions and spices from the oil.
4. In the middle of a bowl with carrots, pour the sugar and squeeze the garlic. Add the spices.
5. Pour hot oil in the middle of the garlic and mix the salad thoroughly. Add vinegar and mix again.
6. Place the carrots into a container and close tightly, so that all the carrots are covered with juice. Let the carrots marinate for at least three hours.
8. Enjoy!

Yulia Mulino

RECIPE

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Why was chewing gum banned in the USSR?
 
The first chewing gum in the USSR was produced only in the 1970s. Before that, Soviet children got their gum through more fortunate classmates whose parents traveled abroad or through “stuffers”, who bought it from foreigners who came to Russia and then resold it.
 
Some kids even dared to go to the places where foreign tourists usually appeared in the hope of begging for the desired item. Parents and teachers tried in every way to discourage “shameful begging” and frightened young people with stories that gum could be poisoned or even have blades hidden in it. But, it was still a cult item for many.
 
The Soviet leadership launched its own gum production only after the tragic events, in which 21 people died and 13 of the victims were under 16 years of age.

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Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: imago stock&people, Alexandr Yakovlev/Global Look Press; Unsplash), amgum.ru, old_bubble_gum
 
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Do we have any seafood lovers here? If so, you will love these delicacies (mostly from the Far East).
 
1. Scallop, salmon, cod, squid, king prawns and octopus - ready to grill
2. Sea urchins with lemon
3. Oysters: Khasan, Emperor, Romarin and Fine de Claire
4. Shrimp: royal and Magadan
5. Crab claw, sea urchins, Emperor oysters, royal and Magadan shrimp
 
Fish Bistro "Rybnaya Manufaktura №1" (Fish Factory #1), Moscow
 
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