Making Galeta (Hardtack)

Galeta (галета), also called ‘hardtack’, ‘pilot bread’ or ‘sea biscuits’ is a simple cracker that is easy to make, long lasting when properly stored, and is often stored as a “survival food”.  Galeta has been included in military rations for many years.  Most varieties of galeta made in Russia include at least some fat or shortening, making them closer to pilot bread crackers, then to the more basic ‘hardtack’ made from just flour, salt, and water.

To make basic hardtack: mix 5 cups of flour to 1 cup of water containing a 1/2-tablespoon of salt. Knead into a dough and roll out to 3/8-inch thickness. Cut into approximately 3-inch squares and pierce each with a fork or ice pick several times. Bake in a 375-degree oven, on an ungreased baking sheet for 30 minutes or until slightly brown. Turn the hardtack over and continue to bake for another 30 minutes.

A softer hardtack, which is the traditional galeta is made using:

4 cups of flour
2 cups of cold water
2 tablespoons of cold butter or shortening/margarine
4 teaspoons of salt

Prepare this mixture in the same way as the basic hardtack, also baking at 375-degrees for 30 minutes per side.

Because fat (butter or shortening) has been added when making galeta, it will oxidize and become rancid over a relatively short time (if not stored in an air-tight container) and thus the softer version is not for long term storage in the same way that basic hardtack is.

A commercial version of galeta is available in many food markets.

Mountain House Pilot Crackers, packed in an air-tight #10 can for long-term storage, is available from various camping supply stores or on-line from stores like Amazon.com.

KGB Survivalist has a short video on his YouTube channel showing how to make basic hardtack. His recipe is a little different in the amount of each ingredient (flour, salt, and water) to use, but there are no set rules on exactly how to prepare hardtack.

While galeta can be eaten like a cracker, perhaps topping it with fish or butter, or jam; basic hardtack can be difficult to chew. Hardtack is best eaten by letting is soak in soup, broth, or tea until it softens. Hardtack can also be crushed into small pieces and used as a base or thickener when preparing other foods.

Take some time to make both galeta and hardtack. It is easy and inexpensive to make, and can add a basic ration to your survival items.