Estonian Food Recipes

Much like in the neighbouring Baltic countries, Estonian food recipes have emerged pretty much where east meets west in Europe. A history of German, Russian, Danish and Swedish occupation have left their clear mark on the cuisine of Estonia. To better understand how why Estonian cuisine is how it is we better take a closer look at history.

A Brief History
The area got settled over 10000 years ago and followed the general development in the region. First populated by hunter-gatherers, then simple agrarian societies. The Aesti tribe was recognized by the Romans the first century AD, by then they were quite organized. Just like the Swedish Vikings the Estonians were sea raiders and traders, the centuries around the first millenium they took turns in raiding each other. In the Middle Ages they got involved in the political games of Europe. In the early 13th century they became part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the 16th century the region was reformed to protestantism, during this century the emerging power Sweden established itself in the region. By the 17th century Sweden controlled all of modern Estonia, then divided into Estonia and Livonia. In the 18th century these areas were lost by Sweden to Russia, they remained under Russian rule until the first creation of a free Estonia in 1917. In 1944, after having been a war arena during the 2nd World War, Russia annexed all the Baltic countries. They remained a part of the USSR until 1991 when The Republic of Estonia was declared. Today it is a modern European nation and since 2004 a member of the European Union.

Estonian Cuisine And Some Typical Dishes
Traditional Estonian food recipes are to a large extent based on dairy products, pork, rye, root vegetables (in particular potatoes) and fish. Wild berries and mushrooms is a national obsession. Spicing is moderate. There are many similarities to German, Russian and Scandinavian cuisines. Vodka and beer are the favoured beverages. Estonian food recipes had to adapt quite a lot to the meager conditions when they were part of the USSR, the old cuisine has to a large extent have been recreated by modern chefs in Estonian restaurants. Globalization and immigrants have had played a part in changing the eating habits as well. Here are some typical foods:

Leib This type of dark rye bread enjoyed all around the Baltic Sea is very popular and eaten with most meals.
Verivorst Black pudding, normally eaten with lingon berry jam and grated cabbage.
Hapukapsas Sauerkraut.
Pork roast Pork has been the traditional meat, in its roast form it is often served with roasted potatoes.
Kissel Is a kind of compote made from berries or fruits.

Submitted Estonian Food Recipes
I do not yet have any genuine family food recipes from Estonia submitted to publish on this page. It would be great if you could help me with this! Just click this link and follow the instructions. As soon as I have published it I will get back to you for approval. Thanks!