Russian Dacha, Vodka and Zakuski

Dacha In A Village Outside of Moscow

In Russia, formal meals are constructed around two main courses. The second, rich, hot but very simple, consists of roasted meat and a starch such as barley or potatoes.  However, the first, the zakuski (which literally means “tastes” but is probably best translated as “appetizers”), is the most important. The hosts will usually spend more time preparing it and arranging it on the table, and the guests will spend more time both admiring and consuming it. It consists of a table spread with small dishes including fresh herbs and vegetables, pickles, cheeses, salted fish, bread and cured meats.

Table Set For Zakuski

The zakuski table is meant to accompany and enhance the experience of drinking and, more specifically, the experience of drinking vodka. Drinking itself is different than in the USA. Consuming one’s own drink, whether it be wine, beer or whiskey, at one’s own pace does not play a significant role. Drinking in Russia is not so much an individual experience as a social ritual designed to strengthen community bonds. One drinks shots of vodka – always to the bottom of the glass – together with everyone else at the table following toasts. After a drink, one typically exhales and consumes something from the table, preferably something salty (meat or fish) or sour (pickles) or some yeasty, flavorful bread. The shots are repeated throughout the meal. For an American, the quantities consumed may seem daunting. Moreover, it is difficult to refuse. The trick here is to learn how to hold one’s liquor or, if the number of toasts and shots makes this impossible, to figure out a way to decline gracefully. A direct refusal will never work.

Gearing Up For A Toast

Here are two clips:

A Table Set With Zakuski and Preparations For a Toast

A Russian Birthday Toast (Fragment)

Most of the images and clips above were taken at a friend’s dacha during a birthday party for his son.

Good Night