1. Tatar cuisine is the offspring of a long relationship
between the local people and the many foreign
tastes over the centuries Situated on the world trade
crossroads, the Volga Bulgars and the Tatar adapted
the most important specialites of the neighbouring
and remote nations.

2. The history of the Tatar nation
dates back to the 9th century.
When their ancestors, the
Bulgars, where nomadic tribes.
Hunting, fishing and cattle
breeding determined our
ancestors, food traditions.

3. By the way, stewed horseflesh is also an important and
exotic feature of Tatar cuisine. Perhaps, unconsciously
following previous nomadic generations of her own
womenfolk, who cooked horse-flesh for their man-riders
and warriors- to make them stronger, a present- day woman
chooses horse-flesh for some special Tatar meals. Young
horseflesh roasted an a bed of sliced potatoes, tomatoes,
onions, garlic and herbs served crisp and brown from the
oven.

4. Pastry of all kinds is used to
encase vegetables, fish, rice
producing tasty and filling dishes.
«Echpochmak» is a pastry filled
with chopped meat, potatoes,
onions and pepper. It is backed in
the oven and served hot.

5. While on the subject of soup, one cannot miss
mentioning very popular «pelmeni», that is minced
meat wrapped in dough and boiled in broth; the
original Tatar soup with self-cut thin noodles. This
kinds of soup are usually prepared for guests or a
holiday feast.

6. Among the most popular
dishes in Tatarstan is
«pilaf». Which is of the
Central Asian origin. Since
their ancient trade
contacts, the Tatar people
have developed their taste
for Oriental Food.

7. Tatar food is based on seasonal
produce. Many vegetables and fruit
are growing in summer. That’s why
summer meals are mainly
vegetarian. The best-loved dish is a
vegetable salad with tomatoes,
cucumbers, onions. All kinds of
berries and fruit are widely used as
jams.

8. As a whole, the Tatar generally favour cooked
desserts such as sweet pastries. They have
originated from the Turkish cuisine. Another
popular Tatar sweet pastry is «koshtel», a crisp
pastry made of eggs and flour.

9. There is also a sentimental folk tradition, when
adult children regularly visit their parents house
bringing their kids under their parents roof, where
all the family meet and eat dishes reminiscent of
their own childhood. This tradition, on one hand,
ensures love and unity in the family, and, on the
other hand, it’s the way to keep culinary traditions
alive by the next generation.

10. Armed with this knowledge of Tatar cuisine,
you can easly advise your foreign friend to
look fir the right variety of settings to try
out the food, and by balancing your budget
you will also get an enjoyable first hand
taste of Tatar cuisine.