The tradition of eating fish dishes on Thursdays still exists today, especially in schools, kindergartens and some dining rooms at factories or enterprises. Where did she come from?
History of the Fish Day tradition
First of all, you need to remember about Orthodox customs. It was during the fasting period that it was allowed to eat fish, excluding meat dishes and other products of animal origin from food. Also, fish was allowed to eat on certain holidays - the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, Palm Sunday, the Transfiguration of the Lord. It was Thursday that was “fish day, ” since on Wednesday and Friday even stricter fasting according to the Church charter came.
It is believed that the rule is to eat fish on Thursdays in the Soviet Union not related to Orthodox traditions. On the basis of the decree of A. I. Mikoyan “On the introduction of fish day in catering establishments” introduced on September 12, 1932, in many canteens there was only fish on the menu on Thursdays. This decision was made in order to save meat. Fish, thus, made it possible to make up for protein in the diet of employees.
Later, on October 26, 1976, another decree of the CPSU Central Committee on the introduction of "fish day" was published. This time the goal was not only to save meat, but also to increase fish production in the country. Why was Thursday chosen as such a day? Experts confirmed the feasibility of this choice with a whole series of data and calculations that illustrate the fact that it is on such a day that the fish will be sold extremely high.
But there is an assumption that this choice was justified in connection with church customs, there is fish on Thursdays, since there was an increased demand for this product in cafes and cafes precisely on these days.
Based on the decision of higher authorities, all catering establishments of that time offered fish on the menu on Thursdays. Dishes from cheaper varieties were offered in public canteens and cafes, and from more expensive ones in restaurants.
For the first time, restaurant visitors could taste fish soup with salmon. This dish had a rich and spicy taste. For the second one it was possible to order, for example, fish under a marinade with a side dish - baked potatoes. The classic salad "herring under a fur coat", or just a "fur coat" soaked in mayonnaise-based sauce, is another version of the dish that was served on "Fish Thursday".
