Tushonka

Tushonka (Russian: тушёнка, IPA: [tʊˈʂonkə], from тушение — 'braising') is a canned stewed meat especially popular in Russia and other countries of the former Eastern Bloc.[1][2] It has become a common name for different kinds of canned stewed meat, not all of which correspond to the strict GOST standards.[3]

Stewed beef, GOST 5284-84

Tushonka can be used and preserved in extreme situations, and therefore is a part of military food supplies in the CIS.[4] For the people of the Soviet Union, tushonka was a part of military and tourist food supplies; at some extreme periods of time it could only be bought with food stamps.[5]

Historical
  • During World War Two, the Soviet Union received cans of Spam through Lend Lease. Stalin disliked the idea of his people receiving an American foodstuff, so he demanded they send canned tushonka instead. Stocks of surplus tushonka were sold in the 1960s and 70s in state-owned stores and were popular with campers and hikers.

See also

References
  1. Glenn Randall Mack, Asele Surina Food Culture In Russia And Central Asia 2005 - Page 84 "Stemming from the word tushit' (to braise or stew), tushonka is the canned beef ration found in hiking knapsacks and bachelor pads."
  2. Smith, J.L. (2014). Works in Progress: Plans and Realities on Soviet Farms, 1930-1963. Yale Agrarian Studies Series. Yale University Press. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-300-21031-6. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  3. Life magazine 22 Feb 1943 - Page 65 Vol. 14, n° 8 "Many new and different kinds of canned meats — stepped up 120 per cent — more than double — over total canned meat production a year ago. A new creation called "Tushonka" (pieces of pork cooked and canned) is now becoming familiar ..."
  4. Gordon Rottman - Soviet Rifleman 1941-45 2007 Page 42 "Much of the field ration was bread, canned meats, and fresh and preserved vegetables. Dried peas were issued in packaged blocks. Black rye bread was baked in regimental bakeries. Tinned meats included tushonka (stewed pork or beef- ..."
  5. Grover J. Sims -Meat and meat animals in World War II 1951 - Page 80 "The CCC also bought beef Tushonka for lend-lease shipment to Russia. Purchases, however, did not begin until 1944. Contracts let in that year totaled 34 million pounds; in 1945 purchases were slightly less. Beef Tushonka is prepared in the ..."
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