Russian IRP Salo entree

[Norton]

The Russian 24 hour contains a great deal of food. You can really stretch it out.
I have enjoyed this meal one camping trip or hike at a time since receiving itI went on a river camping trip during a short break from rains.

Rain clouds hanging over the river

down river

I found an Island that was free of people and made camp

landing

camp

I took a mix of U.S. and Russian items for my three meals.
While I was cooking my evening meal, opened this can of Russian Salo. I ate this with some Russian Ships Biscuits and beer

This item is made from pork

in the can

Opened

opened

I must say as an American who does not read Russian when I opened the can. i was not sure what it was, maybe Tripe or some other special meat. I took a taste and I enjoyed . After eating this you could have skipped the main meal
It had a salty brine and was similar in taste to bacon, chewy, salty with a slight smoke flavor.
A vegetarian would have fainted, not me I ate it all
I was interested so I asked my Russian friend and forum member prado67 about this. He explained what it was and said this being a mass produced military ration would not do the actual item justice. So he sent me a photo of the civil version.
Now I want to try the real Item with Black break, pickles and Vodka

This is a description from the RT webpage
You may find it interesting
Salo - edible pork fat
One of the most tasty and healthy treats in Russian culinary tradition, salo, is a low-meat high-fat salted companion often used to chase with Vodka.
The slabs of pork are salted or brine fermented and sometimes smoked. It is aged in a dark, cold place and can last for more than a year. It is important that salo not be exposed to light or aged to long as the fat can become oxidized causing a bitter taste. However, should a batch of salo go bad, it makes an excellent water-repellent for leather boots.
One common misconception is that salo is lard. This is not the case as lard has been converted from waste animal tissue into an edible product.
Salo is often eaten straight up, but can easily be cooked or fried with and used as a condiment to popular dishes like borsh, sausage and placed on bread to eat alongside Vodka. It also makes a great addition to any sandwich. If the cooking oil runs out, one can always use salo to melt down and use as a great frying oil.
Salo occupies a special place in Russian and even Ukrainian culture. Where vodka is often associated with being Russian, salo maintains the same place for Ukrainians.

[housil]

I always love and enjoy your camping pictures!
Is it "dangerous" out there? Are there any wild/poisonous animals? Do you need to carry a weapon with you?

i was not sure what it was, maybe Tripe or some other special meat.

This is one thing I really can´t eat - pluck. Even the smell of cooking liver, lung or tripe makes me
I´d rather starve than eat it...

[[ex-Member1]]

Awesome review and pictures. I recognized famous salo as soon as I saw your picture. In Ukraine they have a parole Geroyam Slava that means Glory to the Heroes. Sometimes the prorussians on the other side would shout geroyam salo what would mean only salo for the heroes ut then the hell would break loose. Also I couldn't eat salo like this.

In Russia they often eat pickles with votka but often tomatoes too. Never tried it woth tomatoes but with pickles it's really great.

[BlackDogBob]

Haha! "If it goes bad you can use it to waterproof boots"! Love this!

Great review brother. I cannot wait to get back out into the woods!

[prado67]

Norton, my friend, hi.
Just grandiose review. Even most there was a wish to drink vodka with fat. Then to put on a cap with ear-flaps, to go to play a balalaika, to feed a bear, then... what there still Russians do in the Hollywood movies, already and I don't remember.
Fat has to be on sale in the Russian shops, look, I precisely know that it is on sale. Here then you will have a rest smartly!!!

[Name_not_found]

Thanks for the review!

Szalonna is what im used to it being called

Heat over fire and drip juices on bread until saturated then top with onion and eat

Very good

[MREHungary]

You made my mouth water

I remember the last gathering we had around a campfire. Usually we wait until the fire turns into ember, so the szalonna (bacon) does not burns. As you said drip the juices on bread and with red onions (I like them better) it tastes like heaven. We also bake potatoes wrapped in tinfoil in the ember, best served hot with a little salt.
And because of the high fat content of the meal you must ... I repeat! ... you must drink pálinka (Hungarian spirit made from fruits) It is a tradition and you must not go against the traditions

And the season just started, so I must search for skewers ^^

[Delicious]

Very nice review. Especially if you are not used to this kind of "snacks" . In the Polish rations you cannot find salo, but it is a part of military food, you can buy the cans sepearately. It is very soft, almost like spread and very deliciuos (more spiced than the Russian, there is also a verion with garlic)

[sourwes]

Wow, that "salo" looks awesome! Haven,t had a meal that looked that good since I was stationed in Europe in the 80's.. Thx for makin my taste buds water!