azerbaijan

azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is on the coast of the Caspian Sea and borders Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Russia. Because Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union from 1920 to 1991, the traditional foods fell out of popular use and were supplanted by Soviet staples like cabbage and potatoes. Apparently, at least according to a couple of sources I found, the Soviets wanted all of their people to eat the same kinds of food to bring them together culturally, so they set up what sounds like state run cafeterias, where everyone could get free or cheap (not clear to me which) food. This further had the effect of encouraging women to participate in the workplace rather than staying at home and cooking for their families. Since 1991, gradually the old flavors and cooking methods are being re-imported from Azerbaijanis in Iran.