Summer in Kazan is a time for vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and traditional dishes that showcase the best of Tatarstan’s culinary heritage. As the city comes alive with festivals, open-air markets, and outdoor dining, the summer season offers a wide variety of seasonal delicacies that are a must-try for both locals and visitors. From fresh berries and vegetables to grilled meats and pastries, here are the best seasonal delicacies to enjoy in Kazan during the summer months.
1. Shashlik (Grilled Meat Skewers)
Summer in Kazan means outdoor grilling, and shashlik (grilled meat skewers) is one of the most popular dishes to enjoy during the warm months. Whether you’re in a restaurant, a café, or at a picnic, shashlik is the perfect dish for a summer gathering. The tender meats, often marinated with spices and herbs, are grilled over an open flame, giving them a smoky flavor that is irresistible.
Why Try It:
- Local Speciality: While shashlik can be found in many places, Tatar-style shashlik often features lamb, beef, or chicken marinated with unique Tatar spices, making it especially flavorful.
- Best in Summer: There’s no better way to enjoy the summer weather than with freshly grilled skewers, often paired with flatbread, fresh salads, and pickled vegetables.
Where to Try:
- Tugan Avylym: A rustic, traditional setting where you can enjoy perfectly grilled meats.
- Zarafshan Café: Known for their excellent grilled meats, including shashlik, paired with fresh salads.
2. Beshbarmak (Meat and Pasta Dish)
Although beshbarmak is traditionally enjoyed in the cooler months, its light and filling nature make it an ideal choice for summer dining as well. Beshbarmak consists of tender pieces of meat (often lamb or beef), served with pasta and a flavorful broth.
Why Try It:
- Comfort Food: The combination of meat, pasta, and flavorful broth is a hearty yet satisfying dish perfect for enjoying in the summer.
- Customizable: You can find different variations, with some incorporating seasonal vegetables like fresh onions, tomatoes, and herbs.
Where to Try:
- Bilyar Café: Known for serving a traditional version of beshbarmak, perfect with summer vegetables.
- Prikamye Restaurant: A great place to try beshbarmak, with local Tatar spices adding richness to the dish.
3. Tatar Flatbread (Kystybyi)
Kystybyi is a simple yet delicious Tatar flatbread, often filled with mashed potatoes, meat, or vegetables. It’s an ideal snack or side dish for a summer meal, especially when paired with fresh herbs and seasonal salads.
Why Try It:
- Seasonal Variations: In the summer, kystybyi can be filled with fresh, in-season vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs.
- Perfect for a Picnic: The portable nature of kystybyi makes it perfect for summer picnics or casual outdoor meals.
Where to Try:
- Tugan Avylym: Try kystybyi with seasonal fillings like potatoes or fresh herbs for a satisfying snack.
- Shalimar Restaurant: Known for offering traditional kystybyi with a variety of fillings, ideal for summer dining.
4. Fresh Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, and More)
Summer in Kazan brings an abundance of fresh, locally grown berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and gooseberries. These berries are often used in desserts, jams, and sauces, or enjoyed on their own as a refreshing treat.
Why Try It:
- Locally Grown: Kazan and the surrounding Tatarstan region are known for their high-quality, flavorful berries, which are available at markets and in restaurants during the summer.
- Perfect for Desserts: Fresh berries are often used in compotes, cakes, and pastries, adding a burst of sweetness to summer meals.
Where to Try:
- Kazan Central Market: One of the best places to buy fresh, local berries during summer, often sold by local vendors.
- Café Retro: Enjoy fresh berry-based desserts or refreshing berry drinks at this cozy café.
5. Shirin (Sweet Tatar Pastry)
Shirin is a traditional Tatar pastry filled with sweet fruits or jams. In the summer, it’s made with fresh, seasonal fruits such as cherries, apricots, or strawberries. The pastries are often baked until golden and flaky, with the natural sweetness of the fruits shining through.
Why Try It:
- Summer-Only Treat: The use of fresh, in-season fruits makes shirin a seasonal delicacy that’s best enjoyed in summer.
- Perfect for Afternoon Tea: Shirin is often served with tea, making it a perfect treat for a relaxing afternoon.
Where to Try:
- Café Pirogov: Known for its excellent selection of traditional Tatar pastries, including shirin, filled with fresh summer fruits.
- Bilyar Café: A great spot to try a variety of freshly baked shirin pastries made with seasonal fruit fillings.
6. Tufkha (Tatar Sweet Pastry)
Tufkha is a delicious, sweet pastry that is particularly popular in the summer months. Made from dough and typically filled with fruits like apples or berries, tufkha is baked to golden perfection and often served with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Why Try It:
- Summer Fruit Fillings: In the summer, tufkha is filled with juicy seasonal fruits such as berries or peaches, making it a sweet and refreshing dessert.
- Cultural Delight: Tufkha is an integral part of Tatar hospitality and culture, often served during family gatherings and celebrations.
Where to Try:
- Shalimar Restaurant: Known for its authentic Tatar pastries, including tufkha, often served with fresh summer fruit.
- Kazan Central Market: Many vendors sell freshly made tufkha, filled with local, in-season fruits.
7. Plov (Pilaf)
While plov (pilaf) is often associated with Central Asian and Russian cuisines, it is also a beloved dish in Tatarstan, particularly during the summer. This hearty rice dish is typically made with lamb, beef, or chicken and flavored with vegetables, dried fruits, and spices. During the summer, plov is made with fresh, in-season vegetables, such as carrots, onions, and peppers.
Why Try It:
- Seasonal Ingredients: Summer plov features fresh, local vegetables and herbs, giving it a vibrant and rich flavor.
- Perfect for Sharing: Plov is often served in large portions, making it an ideal dish for summer gatherings and picnics.
Where to Try:
- Zarafshan Café: Known for offering delicious plov with seasonal vegetables and meats, perfect for a summer meal.
- Tugan Avylym: Enjoy traditional Tatar-style plov made with fresh summer vegetables and local meats.
8. Cold Soups (Okroshka and More)
During the hot summer months, cold soups like okroshka are incredibly popular in Kazan. Made from kefir or kvass, with a mix of fresh vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, and herbs, these soups are refreshing and light, perfect for beating the summer heat.
Why Try It:
- Refreshing and Light: Cold soups are ideal for hot summer days, offering a light and refreshing meal that won’t leave you feeling too full.
- Seasonal Ingredients: The use of fresh, in-season vegetables makes these soups even more flavorful and refreshing.
Where to Try:
- Café Pirogov: Known for its okroshka, made with fresh cucumbers, radishes, and herbs.
- Süleymaniye: Enjoy a chilled, flavorful bowl of okroshka with traditional Tatar ingredients.
Conclusion
Summer in Kazan is a vibrant celebration of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and traditional Tatar cuisine. Whether you’re enjoying shashlik by the river, savoring shirin pastries made with fresh berries, or cooling off with a refreshing bowl of okroshka, Kazan’s summer delicacies offer something for everyone. Be sure to explore these delicious seasonal dishes and enjoy the rich culinary traditions of Tatarstan while soaking in the summer atmosphere!
