Kamenà Ribka

A seafarers meal

To live and fight on the open sea requires not only mental fortitude, physical strength, and cunning intellect but a source to fuel these three things. As the high sea is one of the most hostile climate known to man, it is no wonder that the inhabitants of Zelezny Zaliv have learned to adapt to its hinderances. As most, if not all inhabitants of Zelezny Zaliv served some time aboard a vessel, these necessities have become an essential part of their food culture.

Culinary Magic and dobrá vůně - Method to the Madness

Most ships of the Zelesny navy spend months away from shore. Usually, pickling, smoking, or salting food would be enough to guarantee the crew's nutrition. Unlike most navies, the High Sea Fleet operates ships of unusual size. To store the required foods for months at sea would take up too much space or take space away from the cargo compartments. The navy can circumvent this by using a unique magical technique.
After the expulsion and execution of the former pirate overlords, the inhabitants of Zelesny Zaliv freed their prisoners. Among them were several mages. Despite their talents, they were kitchen hands for the past years. During this time, they had ample opportunity to experiment on the food they had to prepare, one of the seldom opportunities to use their magical talent.
Their experiments enabled them to discover a new spell. With careful preparation, every nutritious element could be sucked out of the food, leaving a frail shell behind. The rest would de be distilled into color- and tasteless liquid, which was as nutritious as the food but used a miniscule part of its space. Simply drinking this liquid is enough to feed a being for an indefinite period of time. Sailors of the navy do not suffer from scurvy or other, probably nutritiously related ailments, that other navies have to fight with.
Alas, to only drink a small vial of liquid each day is not enough for most to feel satisfied. To give them something to bite on, the same mages created a plain mash. Its production remains a mystery, but it never rots and also tastes bland. Its purpose is to bind the liquid containing the nutrition, giving it some mass and making it something more akin to food.
To combat the issue of blandness the Zelesny use a special spice. Called dobrá vůně, it is strange, for the lack of a better word. Regardless of preference almost anyone who has ever tasted it claims that they liked it. They cannot describe what it tastes like, only that they like it. Used on the mash, mixed with the liquid the formerly bland meal is a small pleasure that many genuinely enjoy, at least for the first three months at sea. Eventually, it gets slightly repetitive.
As most citizens have served in the navy for some time, most have eaten nutritional mash, seasoned with dobrá vůně. While they might have hated it at the time, because it was the only thing they got to eat, most develop a fondness for it. The use of dobrá vůně is strictly limited, as it is rare and the navy gets shipments before anyone else. For a family to get their hands on a portion of the spice is a great event and is celebrated with a great party, where the traditional meal of a sailor is served. To be given the honor to participate in such an event as a foreigner is a sign of great trust and reputation among the native population.

What to eat with fish? More fish of course!

Fish is the meal that the sea provides. No matter where the closest coast is, odds are that there is fish below the boat. To break up their monotonous routine sailors are often encouraged to fish in their free time, providing both leisure to the sailors and regular food. The problem remains that fish is the only thing found on the high sea. As the only other edible goods are the liquid, mash or the spice, nothing can be paired with the fish, without using the thing they try to escape.
To compensate for this lack of variety the sailors have become very creative using fish. It can be grilled, mashed, fileted, hacked and cooked or pickle it. With a combination of these methods, it is possible to create entire meals out of fish. As most sailors manage to return home alive, they brought this makeshift meal with them. As it is a type of cooking connected with great joy, it quickly found its place in the regular cousin. To this day the local cousin of Zelesny Zaliv is filled with meals made only with fish. Much to the wonder of anyone visiting.

Primary Related Location

Zelezny Zaliv