Fried pies and Caucasian yoga: Get to know the traditions of Adygea

The Republic of Adygea is a land of wild long livers, winding canyons with grottoes, Circassian apple orchards and highland plateaus with flocks of sheep. Adygea is nicknamed Russia's “Little Tibet" for its unique vibes and the impression it gives off that time has stopped. The mountain air and scenery of the area could make anyone lightheaded. Adygea, which is inhabited by Circassian tribes, is magical.

Photo credit: Lori/Legion-Media

Two hours by plane from Moscow to Krasnodar and another couple of hours by car and you are in Adygea. The first thing you see on the way from Krasnodar Airport to Maykop, the republic's capital, is a sea of sunflowers with thousands of gleaming yellow "heads" covering the fields on both sides of the road. This magnificent sight is complemented by a panoramic view of the snowy peaks of the Skalisty Ridge on the horizon ahead of you.

Local cuisine
Adygean cuisine is closely linked to the Circassian spiritual practice Uork Khabze, which is an authentic Caucasian tradition encompassing a set of yoga-like physical exercises and meditation. The Caucasian tradition of Uork Khabze is a form of spiritual teaching with thousands of years of history. It is currently undergoing a revival. Uork Khabze is translated as “a path for the chosen,” an instructional form for the elite. In ancient times an invitation to the secret teachings had to be earned not only by belonging to the nobility, but also for courage, talent and beauty. Today, a variety of Uork Khabze practices are open to everyone. The modern Caucasus is mostly inhabited by Muslims, but not all locals have an understanding of Uork Khabze as it appeared before Islam reached these lands.

The food is inseparable from this tradition and enhances its beneficial effects on human health. The recipes for major dishes have been in place for thousands of years, along with the culture of growing and using ecologically safe ingredients and a moderate local diet and an active lifestyle, all of which contributes to the longevity and good health of local people.

Photo credit: Lori/Legion-Media

The Adygean signature treat is called khalyuzh. It features a traditional dairy stuffing of soft white cheese and thin tender dough, which absorbs and balances the salty taste of the cheese. This differentiates khalyuzhes from other Northern Caucasian pies and bread such as pita, khachapuri, Ossetian pies or lavash.

Photo credit: Lori/Legion-Media

An authentic khalyuzh is covered with a thin crispy crust on the outside, while the dough inside remains soft. Drops emanating from a crispy khalyuzh are those of sunflower oil, which is produced in Adygea. The principal ingredient of khalyuzh is k'uae, a special kind of Adygean cheese:

Photo credit: Lori/Legion-Media

Where you can try a khalyuzh
Maykop, the Adygean capital, boasts just a few spots where you can taste traditional dishes and pastries. The Dysheps cafe was opened by a Turkish expatriate family headed by Ibragim Chatau. They are Circassians who decided to return to their historic motherland. In Adygean "dysheps" means golden soul. The color “gold” is much loved by Circassians and is associated with the beauty of its women.

"In our kitchen, Turkish mantys and khalyuzhes are baked by a special chef," a waitress at the cafe told us. "My own mom uses the same recipe of khalyuzh that is traditional for highland villages."

When khalyuzhes are fried they must be completely covered by oil so that they can become plump and rise – that's when they are ready. Take them out and blot them with a napkin to remove excess oil. They look thicker than a cheburek pie, which deflates a bit when cooked. It is the plumpness that makes a khalyuzh so tender, as the cheese melts in your mouth.

Locals believe that no matter how far you are from inner peace and harmony, a couple of khalyuzhes and a glass of homemade wine will help you get over any sorrows you may be experiencing.

One khalyuzh is about 270 calories, which you can easily burn off during a hike of the beautiful surrounding scenery.

Adygean highland village khalyuzh recipe

Ingredients:

0.5 liter of milk

400g (1.3 cups) flour

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of sugar

2 tablespoons of oil

0.5 teaspoon of baking soda

1 egg

Stuffing:

Crumbled Adygean cheese, pinch of salt

1. Knead light, elastic dough with warm milk.

2. Form a roll from the dough and cut into small pieces.

3. Roll the pieces out as thin as you can until you have circles the size of a saucer.

4. Put some crumbled Adygean cheese in the middle of each circle.

5. Fold each circle in half, press the edges together and cut the excess dough with a ravioli wheel or similar instrument.

6. Fry in boiling oil; make sure the oil covers the khalyuzhes completely.

Tips for tourists:

Adygea hosts the annual Whisper of the Skies festival featuring workshops by the Caucasian Yoga Association and experts in health-restoring practices and doctrines. This year's festival (May 26 – June 1) is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Murat Yagan, the founder of Caucasian yoga.

The Khalyuzh Festival is celebrated with a culinary contest on June 4. The event is held at the Rufabgo Waterfall in Adygea’s most spectacular spot on the Lago-Naki Plateau.

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