Russian Mushrooms

Mushrooms, like Russian vodka, caviar, and blini, are an essential element to the Russian diet. Russian mushrooms have replaced meat during Lent, rescued populations from starvation during times of famine, and commanded high prices on the international market. Mushrooms feature as main or complementary ingredients in the dishes of Russian traditional food. Pickled, dried, or fresh, they are worked into delicious recipes like tempting mushroom strudel.

Mushrooms make their way to Russian tables by way of hard work and cooperative effort. Mushroom hunting often involves whole families (and maybe their guests, too), and most of the time it is a way to enjoy nature with loved ones – though the act of mushroom hunting is so ingrained in Russian culture that Russian mushroom hunters have even been known to risk their lives to gather the edible fungi! The knowledge might seem esoteric to non-Russians, but it is not uncommon for a Russian person to know how, when, and where to gather mushrooms, as well as what types of mushrooms are desirable (and, alternatively, which ones are poisonous). Russians have been perfecting the art of mushroom hunting for centuries, and members of the Russian diaspora have carried the tradition with to the States and other countries.

Yuri Zhirkov’s Switch To Chelsea From CSKA Moscow Still In The Balance

According to Russian daily Sport Express, CSKA Moscow’s 25-year-old full-back Yuri Zhirkov was due to arrive in London on Wednesday of this week to sign for Chelsea for around €20 million. He didn’t, and so has not yet become Carlo Ancelotti’s first major signing for the west London club.

And while CSKA president Yevgeny Giner has admitted that his club are in talks with Chelsea, Ancelotti’s former club AC Milan are now said to have indicated an interest in signing the player.

In fact, as well as the Rossoneri, Zhirkov has also been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal – although Chelsea remain the favourites, former coach Guus Hiddink having apparently advised Blues owner Roman Abramovich to sign the attacking defender known as the ‘Russian Ronaldinho’.