The 1901 Cookbook Archive
No. 4040 — Transporting Live Fish in Summer
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 4040 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Place a freshly caught fish such as a pike immediately in a net in clean water.
Build a ventilated wooden box sized to the fish, line it with damp moss and place a piece of sponge soaked in French wine beneath the fish's gills.
Lay the fish on the moss, cover with more damp moss and close with a perforated wooden lid.
The author claims long-distance transport is possible if the box is watered frequently with cold water and, where possible, briefly immersed in a river or lake.
Historical editorial note: Transporting live fish out of water with alcohol-soaked material at the gills can injure or kill them. This historical technique is not appropriate modern fish-welfare practice.
Original source: Read Russian recipe No. 4040. Historical quantities and terminology are retained. See the measurements guide. Period preparation and storage methods are not modern safety guidance.