Top 8 Russian Appetizers for New Year’s Eve Celebration

New Year in Russia is considered to be a family holiday, but many choose to have their New Year’s party in clubs or restaurants, or while being away on exotic beach vacations, or in the country setting with the company of friends. However, most often, it is still celebrated at home at the festive table.

The richness of Russian holiday table has always been impressive for the imagination of the foreigner. Variety of smoked fish and caviar, jellied meats and cold cuts, salads, homemade pickled vegetables, and mushrooms – appetizers are practically countless.

Unfortunately, with time, certain common appetizers such as sturgeon caviar became delicacies and often are out of reach for many. However, this has not affected the richness of the festive table – smoked meats, sausages, hams, and pates have taken their place on the menu.

Traditional New Year’s salads are “Olivie”, “Mimoza” and “Herring under fur coat”. A wide variety of salads is a must – with meat, with mushrooms, with fresh veggies. Salads are usually served in large bowls rather than as individual portions.

Pickled vegetables and mushrooms are all-time favorites. It can be pickled cabbage, dilled and pickled cucumbers, and tomatoes, smoked and salted fish, stuffed eggs, mini pierogies and patties with non-sweet staffing etc.

Appetizers of the Russian festive table fit perfectly with traditional vodka that comes in a variety of brands and types, but another alcoholic, as well as non-alcoholic drinks, also complement Russian New Year festive table very well.

May each day of the New Year bring you pleasant surprises like the curled petals of a flower that spread sweet fragrance slowly as it unfolds layer by layer.