Zakuski (, ; ) is the term for an assortment of cold hors d'oeuvres, entrées and in Russian cuisine.
Terminology
Originally, the term referred to pies and other sweet delicacies served after a main meal, but now can refer to a light meal before a main meal or a snack, which may also be eaten at a stand-up bar known as
zakusochnaya.
It is served as a course on its own or "intended to follow each
shot glass of
vodka or another alcoholic drink".
The word literally means 'little bites'.
History
The tradition of
zakuski is linked to the Swedish and Finnish
brännvinsbord, which was also the ancestor of modern smörgåsbord,
and to
meze of the Ottoman Empire and other Middle Eastern cultures.
Its origin is generally attributed to Peter I of Russia (), who absorbed many foreign customs during his travels to Western Europe.
Zakuski are not served as in Scandinavia at the buffet, but instead at the dining table. Zakuski are also a food-in-itself and often not just served as starter to a meal. They were kept in the houses of the Russian nobility for feeding casual visitors who travelled long distances and whose arrival time was often unpredictable.
Nowadays, these appetizers are commonly served at banquets, dinners, parties and receptions in countries which were formerly part of the Russian Empire, including some post-Soviet states and Poland.
Zakuski can be cold or hot.
Typical cold zakuski selections may include cold cuts, , mixed , kholodets (meat jelly), or pirozhki, various pickled vegetables such as , Pickled cucumber, sauerkraut, pickled mushrooms, , hard , caviar, canapés, , and .[ JOC All New Rev. - 1997 - Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker]
Gallery
File:Blini with salmon roe.jpg| Blini with red caviar
File:Caviar and spoon.jpg|Black caviar
File:Julienne.jpg| named after Julienning technique
File:Vodka with pickled cucumber.jpg| with clear vodka
File:Cavolo salato.jpg|Sauerkraut
File:Pickled mushrooms 3.JPG|Pickled mushrooms
File:Форшмак по-одесски.jpg| Forshmak
File:Zakouskis aux sprats.JPG|Canapés with sprats
File:Sushi Made from Salo.jpg|Breads with salo
File:Essen russische Speisen 03 (RaBoe).jpg| Pirozhki, pickled tomato, mixed salads
File:Rasstegai s gorbushei.jpg| Rasstegai
File:Holodets.jpg| Kholodets
File:Aringa-marinato.jpg|Soused herring or pickled herring
File:Olivier Russian salad made to the Hermitage restaurant recipe.jpg|Olivier salad
File:Vinegret.jpg| Vinegret
File:Mimoza salat e-citizen.jpg|Mimosa salad
File:Selidi pod shuboi.jpg|Dressed herring
File:Squash Caviar.jpg|
See also
-
List of hors d'oeuvre
-
List of Russian dishes
-
Anju
-
Antipasto
-
Cicchetti
-
Meze
-
Pu pu platter
-
Tapas
Further reading
