7 delicious dishes of the Black Sea cuisine of Russia

Russian Black Sea cuisine can sometimes resemble the Mediterranean... or Caucasian... or Tatar cuisine. Read on to find out the differences.

Many peoples once lived on the Black Sea coast of Russia, including Greeks, Armenians, Adyghes, and each of them contributed to the regional cuisine. The basis of the Black Sea cuisine is seasonal vegetables (eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, garlic - fresh or baked), garden fruits (apricots, figs, grapes), walnuts, young homemade cheeses, and spicy sauces. And meat and fish are usually cooked on an open fire. Yes, you can try a lot of kebabs here. Many of the dishes below can be tasted at the MoreMall shopping center in Sochi, at the food court of the center. And also in MoreMall, you will find a lot of entertainment and pleasant shopping.

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1. Red mullet, horse mackerel, and anchovy (a type of anchovy) are popular Black Sea prey. These fish are small, have fewer bones, and are easy to cook. Most often, locals simply roll a lot of small fish in cornmeal and fry in a lot of oil. Modern restaurants in resort towns also bake red mullet and horse mackerel in the oven and serve it with greens, lemon, and rye bread.

2. The main delicacy of the Black Sea coast, these clams are very tender if cooked correctly. Boil or stew them for no longer than 5 minutes. Rapana is best served with fresh or boiled tomatoes, onions, and sour cream.

3. Cheburek is a cult dish of the Crimean Tatar cuisine, which has become a street food on the entire Black Sea coast. Cheburek is made from thin yeast-free dough and deep-fried in a large frying pan. What makes it taste unforgettable is the amazing filling of meat and broth.

4. Nuts strung on a string and moistened with juice are called churchkhela. This candy is of Georgian origin and is VERY popular from Anapa to Sochi. On any beach and in any market, locals sell their homemade churchkhela - and it is simply impossible to break away from different recipes. Walnuts or almonds? Grape juice or peach syrup? Everything is so delicious...

5. In Russia, such sweets are called "oriental sweets" and include about a hundred types of desserts. On the Black Sea coast, any market sells sherbet, nougat, and halva made from fruits, berries, and nuts, which are offered everywhere in Russian resorts.

6. Meat on a spit is one of the most delicious dishes of Black Sea cuisine. Shish kebab is usually made from diced pork or lamb, while Lula kebab is minced meat cooked on a grill with spices. In seaside cafes, meat on a skewer is usually served on a plate with lavash (flat cake), herbs, a small number of tomatoes and cucumbers, and spicy adjika sauce.

7. The northernmost tea in the world grows in the Matsesta resort near Sochi. Winters here are mild, they cannot be compared with Siberia, but the climate is still quite harsh for tea. Over the centuries, local tea factories have become accustomed to the Russian cold, and Matsesta tea has become a real Black Sea delicacy. Its advantages include a high content of vitamin C and tannins, so you need to brew it quickly, otherwise, it will become bitter.