History and traditions
The table of Russia and its neighbours is built for cold weather: soups, dumplings, pickles, dark bread and soured cream. A spread of small cold dishes opens a celebration. Caviar with thin pancakes was the food of the court and is still the symbol of a special occasion.
Food economy and industry
The region is one of the world's main producers of wheat, sunflower oil, potatoes and beets. Home growing, pickling and preserving remain widespread. Sturgeon caviar now comes almost entirely from farms, after wild fish in the Caspian Sea were protected.