This Russian sweet has almost been forgotten, but you can still find it in some Urals villages. Smokva is a kind of pastila (pastels). It is also made from sour apples stewed in the oven. But the apple purée is not whipped, just boiled with honey and berries, usually black currant or cranberry. Tastewise, smokva is reminiscent of dried fruit jelly. By the way, smokva is also another name for “fig.”
The Urals people knew how to make succade even in ancient times! The recipe for parenki (from the Russian word “parit” – “steam”) passed from mother to daughter — that’s how it has survived to this day.
Parenki used to be made in a traditional Russian oven from root vegetables: carrots, beets, turnips, rutabagas, radishes, pumpkins. First, the vegetables were cut into large pieces and then steamed in a clay pot with a bit of water until half-cooked. Then the vegetables were laid on a baking sheet and put in the oven to make them slightly dried. These vegetables contain a lot of sugar, which is why parenki were sweet and could even caramelize. Parenki replaced candies in villages and were a favorite yummy of children. Today these candies are made in a usual stove.
This is a traditional pie of the Komi-Permyak people. Razbornik (from the Russian “
Baked since pagan times, pryanik, a traditional Russian spice cake, is as widely known a symbol of Russia as the balalaika or samovar. Many Russian regions keep their own recipes for gingerbread. In the Urals and Northern Russia, people bake kozulyi – gingerbread for weddings in the shape of venerated animals.
In the early 2000s, in the town of Kungur, Perm Territory, one family started to bake gingerbread according to the ancient recipe of the Vyazovs, who founded a bakery in the region. They use only self-made baking shapes and natural ingredients. Every gingerbread has its own meaning. And delicious homemade jam inside. The family often holds master classes at home where guests learn the art of baking. (site only in Russian)
The oldest confectionery plant in the Urals and Siberia, which opened in the 19th century, still produces popular candies. The Perm bakery is famous for its chocolate, cream, jelly, waffles candies, marshmallow, and diet sweets. All locals are fans of their candies, and this is one of the most popular souvenirs that every tourist takes home (or eats before they get there).
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