Russian heroes became famous and became heroes of epics thanks to their unprecedented strength. But in order to be in such great physical shape, exercise alone is not enough. Diet is no less important. So what did our heroes eat and drink?
Vegetables
In those days, when the epic heroes defended Mother Russia, our fellow countrymen did not yet know many vegetables. Carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, peppers, pumpkins and even ordinary onions were not on the heroic tables. And potatoes, which are now considered a primordially Russian dish, were brought to us only by Peter I.
But everywhere they ate radish. Moreover, mainly those varieties were grown, the fruits of which were not distinguished by a bitter taste and an extremely large mass. The weight of one such radish could reach 12 kilograms.
It is necessary to mention the turnip, known to people since ancient times. It is noteworthy that the Europeans did not grow this vegetable. But in Russia, many different dishes were prepared from it: they cooked cereals and soups, used it as a filling for pies and even salted it.
Grains and beans
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Semolina, which is usually stuffed with children with the words: "Eat, you will be strong as a hero!", In fact, the heroes did not eat at all, because in the epic times it simply did not exist. But what can I say, even if the usual oat flakes appeared in Russia relatively recently. As for our soldiers, they ate porridge made from whole oats, which they simmered for a long time in the oven in order to soften the grain. Butter, hemp or linseed oil was added to the porridge.
Peas were also quite common in Russia. Porridge and stews were cooked from it. In addition, peas were added to pancake and tortilla dough.
Meat and fish
It cannot be said that the meat on the table at the heroes was not translated. Rather the opposite. However, if there was such a lucky chance, it was often game or wild animal meat. Moreover, the warriors were almost always in the field, and they had no choice but to feed on what nature itself gave.
So the basis of the heroic diet was still fish. In addition, in dried form it was convenient to take it on the road. Soups were also made from dried fish and added to cereals.
Berries, mushrooms and herbs
In those days, everyone, from the peasant to the prince, ate the gifts of the forest: mushrooms, berries, herbs. In this regard, the well-known sorrel should be noted. Sorrel was eaten fresh, dried and salted. They also collected wild onions (wild garlic), and parsnips, and quinoa, and goat-bred, and chastets.
A wide variety of dishes and filling for pies were prepared from mushrooms, and, of course, mushrooms were harvested for the winter, mostly dried. And the berries were soaked or jam was made from them. Since there was no sugar at that time, honey was put in the jam.
Beverages
The warriors did not drink tea, let alone coffee. Not because they considered these drinks harmful. It's just that in the old days in Russia they did not know about them. Basically, the heroes drank water, kvass and jelly. The latter, by the way, was fermented like dough, for which it got its name. A little sour flour was diluted with water and boiled. It turned out such a thick mass that they did not drink the jelly, but ate it with a spoon or cut it with a knife. Milk, sour cream or honey was usually served with jelly.
Yulia Popova
