Special dishes
Jelgava Crafts’ High school Food Laboratory has developed special dishes of the city – Duke’s sail and Charlotte’s kiss. The taste of these dishes reminds of the history of once mighty capital of Courland Duchy. Recipes were created by Cooking specialty teachers Aina Tāluma and Ligita Ziemele together with their pupils.
Duke’s sail (Hercoga bura) is a main course, made of oven-baked pork that has been prepared in a special marinade. It is served with caramelized sauerkraut, a variety of roasted vegetables and roots, red bilberry sauce and horseradish
Dessert Charlotte’s kiss (Šarlotes skūpsts) is made of egg-curd cream and jelly mousse sorting made of two kinds of juice. Its mild taste is refreshed with fruit-berry mash sauce.
Duke Jacob of Courland and Semigallia ruled from 1638 to 1681 which is known as a time of modernization in the Duchy. During this period he created 70 manufactories, built more than 135 vessels, developed urban crafts, built churches and schools. Duke had the biggest merchant fleet in the Baltic Sea that delivered the produce of Courland and Semigallia to many countries around the world.
Duke Jacob married Princess of Brandenburg-Prussia Louise Charlotte in 1645. She was a learned woman and excelled with her sharp mind and skills in financial operations.
The marriage of Jacob and Charlotte was happy and they were blessed with nine children.