Astrakhan residents call this fish “live gold” and consider it the symbol of their city. In April almost everyone that lives there goes fishing and for these residents vobla, or Caspian roach, is more than just a simple fish. Visiting friends outside of the Astrakhan Oblast and not bringing bundles of dried vobla is considered a huge faux pas. And if friends come to visit from out of town, vobla is a must when it comes to laying the table. People from Astrakhan prepare the fish in a variety of ways; they cure, dry, smoke, fry, steam and bake it. As a matter of fact, because of its remarkable taste and nourishing qualities, the fish was once even part of astronauts’ diets.