The Konj Kuvar

"The Konj Kuvar"
This is a holy ritual and tradition set forth by The First Holy Emperor of The Pythos Empire. Nearly 500 years ago he decried that at the last meal of every month, The Konj Kuvar should be observed. During this feast of horse meat, prayers are offered to to the patron goddess and praise and blessings are offered to the Holy Emperor.

History

The tradition of The Konj Kuvar was started almost five centuries ago, when the ancestor of the Holy Emperor first united all of the warring city-states into The Pythos Empire. It started as a feast to signify the united peoples of the city-states. The first Holy Emperor declared that everyone in the empire should gather where they could and give thanks and praise to the emperor and pray to Ssarpele, The Black Serpent Of The Dark. The lack of cattle and pigs in the region required that the abundant horses left over from the war, become utilized as the primary meat source. The wounded and dying horses from the battles were butchered and served at the First Konj Kuvar Feast as a way of honoring the warriors who fought and died during the war. From this point forward horses were bred and raised for their meat and became the official and preferred meat of the region.

Execution

Meals comprised of horse meat are prepared and cooked throughout the day. At sundown everyone gathers around the table and the meals are brought out. A short, thanks and praise are given to the Holy Emperor. Often a prayer to Ssarpele, The Black Serpent Of The Dark is said as well. The eldest patron at the table offers a toast and blessing and then the meal is eaten. At the conclusion of the meal, a final toast and blessing are given.

Components and tools

Various meals with horse meat as the basis are quite often eaten through out the year, but on The Konj Kuvar they are required.

Participants

Most people celebrate at home with the members of their immediate family or with a few close friends. Larger towns often have a public ceremony and meal that people are expected to attend.

Observance

The Konj Kuvar is observed during the last meal of every month. At this time people give thanks and reflect on the gratitude and prosperity of the empire's Holy Emperor. Special public state ceremonial meals are observed in each town or city on the last day of the month following the winter and summer solstice.

COMMON HORSE MEAT DISHES

The Neidr Main, is a state favorite, of thinly sliced roast horse with flat noodles and onions, plus potatoes and broth on the side.
The Horse Platter Hot N Cold, is a combination plate, served with cold horse sausage, hot roasted horse, and cold horse tripe.
The Whiny Roast, is a horse meat pot roast, that has been marinating in wine, with peppercorns, onions, and other seasonings for a week, before cooking. Often served with a red wine, cabbage, and baby potatoes.
The Horse Ham, is a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, and is available with or without smoking.
The Horse Sausages and Salami, are common quick bites to snack on while traveling or socializing. Often eaten with small bits of hard bread or crackers and cheese.
The Horse Meat Stew, is a simple bowl of the usually left over cuts of various horse meats and stewed together with chopped cabbage.
The Wild Horse Sashimi and Basashi, is served as thin slices of untamed or raw horse meat, which can be dipped in a sauce of fermented soybeans, saltwater, and wheat or also served with ginger root and onions as Basashi.
The Filly Pulled Horse, is a slightly more elegant dish of untamed or raw, sometimes cured, shredded horse meat, atop a fresh salad, pasta, or eaten on its own with a bit of olive oil and squeeze of lemon.
The Horse House Steak, while available in different breeds, quality, and cuts, is the typical evening meal during The Konj Kuvar. Often eaten rare and juicy with salt, butter, or specialty sauces.
The Horse Fondue is usually requested by the upper class or by those celebrating. It is served as various cuts of thinly sliced horse meat, dipped in various broths and melted cheeses.
The Wagon Wheel or Horse Loaf, is a horse bologna sausage, consisting of corned horse, pork, bacon and onions, that is very finely ground and then baking it as a loaf in a bread pan until it has a crunchy brown crust. Often served on a hard round roll with mustard and pickles.
The Gallup Hot Horse Burger, is a fast meal for those in a hurry. Consisting of a spiced, ground horse meat patty, served on a roll with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and mustard or tomato paste.