Mordovian cuisine
Mordovian cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the Mordovians, who now live in Mordovia and surrounding areas. It consists of a variety of dishes, based on geographical, cultural and climate features of the region, with fish traditionally featured heavily.[1]
Fish
Finnic tribes settled on the riversides, in places convenient for fishing.[2] Traditionally Mordvins pay a great attention to the support of nature.[2] Fish dishes varied by the type of cooking; fish was eaten raw, frozen, dried, salty, and boiled.[2] Fish liver, fish eggs, milt, cod-liver oil were used as cooking ingredients.[2]
Meat
Meat and poultry was stewed, baked and boiled.[1] There were no fried meat dishes in Finno-Ugric cuisine, only roasted dishes which also were borrowed from Tatar cuisine in 19th century.[2] Beef, mutton and pork were preserved in several ways.[2][3] The most ancient preservation method was drying.[2][3] Pre-boiled meat was dried at oven or under the Sun.[2][3] Fat from broth was collected and used for cooking. Meat was also frozen for preservation.[2][3]
In ancient times horsemeat was used for food, but later it was used only in rituals(molyam) associated with horse worship.[2]
Herbs and vegetables
Many farms grew cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes, garlic, carrots, beans, beets, turnips, radishes and pumpkins.[2] In summer and autumn a lot of fruit were eaten fresh.[2] Cucumbers pickle was used for preparing dishes.[citation needed] Beets and pumpkins were eaten steamed as a dessert.[2] Shschi (cabbage soup ) was a traditional soup consisting of cabbage and potatoes cooked in chicken broth with onions and carrots added at the end.[4] Herbs (watercress, horseradish, onion, cow parship, horsetail, nettle, wild goutweed) were used for preparing dishes instead of spices.[2]
Mushrooms
Mushrooms were one of the main ingredients in traditional dishes. They were boiled, salted, fried, soured and dried.[2]
Grains
Grains had a special place in Mordovian cuisine.[1] Finno-Ugric tribes mostly used wheat, barley, spelled and rye (black cereal).[1][2] Ritual meals in Mordovia were associated with agricultural period, family and public holidays.[2] For example, millet porridge was not only a delicious meal on weddings. christenings, funerals, but also there was a special ritual baba's porridge (female porridge) made at the last day of a bride at home.[2]
Bliny (pancakes)
Bliny (Pancakes)[5] were a favorite dish of Mordvins.[1][2] They were called pachat and were made from rye, wheat, millet and pea flour.[2] Traditionally Mordvins liked the pancakes to be rather thick and added boiled potatoes into the dough.[2] Such pancakes were served with milk and honey.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Мордовская кухня (Mordovian Cuisine) -- Finugor, Information Centre of Finno-Ugric Peoples (in Russian), http://finugor.ru/node/861 (as of June 16, 2012).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 Mordovian Cuisine -- Республика Мордовия Историко-этнографический сайт (Republic of Mordovia Historical-Ethnographic Site) (in Russian), http://www.zubova-poliana.ru/history-food.htm (as of June 16, 2012).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 ПОЮВЕЛЕ САЙТ СЕЛА ПАЁВО (in Russian), http://paevo.ucoz.ru/index/mordovskaja_nacionalnaja_kukhnja/0-35 (as of June 16, 2012).
- ↑ Рецепты блюд мордовской кухни (Mordovian Recipes) -- Supercook (in Russian), http://supercook.ru/ussr-f/ussr-f-42.html (as of June 16, 2012)
- ↑ Mordovian Pancakes (in Russian), http://www.varim.spb.ru/mordovskie-bliny.html (as of June 16, 2012)
External links
- Zubova polyana village web-site
- Mordovian recipes
- Mordovian national cuisine (Elite life Tatar materials)
- Paevo village web-site
- Some recipes of Mordovian cuisine