My agency is having a Round the World Christmas Party.
My group was assigned to make something common to Finland.
I know next to nothing about Finland other than it’s location on the map and some WW II history.
I am going to ask my Norwegian cousins if they have any ideas but I thought this group might have a suggestion or two.
If not that’s OK.
I can do the Google.
I would go for cardamom bread (Pulla).
That sounds interesting! I’ll put it on my list.
Poronkäristys
Double bonus because it’s reindeer meet. Throw in a red led for laughs.
Reindeer meat, although legal, is very hard to find, and it is expensive.
Lohikeitto got a lot of press a few years ago. It’s a creamy soup, made with salmon, and it’s pretty good and not hard to make. You can use onions, and vegetable broth, if you can’t get leeks or fish broth.
This sounds delicious.
Thanks!
LOL! I actually thought of reindeer meat but did not think was affordable.
Good choice, but there is also
Maybe replace the bacon with fake bacon, and it is vegetarian?
Since it’s Christmas, you should make joulutorttu (Yule tarts)
Easy enough to make, too - just puff pastry and jam filling.
It is delicious, and it is easy to make … but I would be hesitant about bringing in any food that leaves a lingering fish smell in the office, considering how some people like to complain.
The bread is a better idea, I think. Presuming you don’t have a source for reindeer meat. 
The smell issue would certainly rule out lutefisk. (GD&R)
The star of the common Finnish Christmas dinner is the joulukinkku. A salted pork ham with bone, cooked slowly in a low-temp oven, with a frosting made out of mustard, egg, bread crumbs, clove etc., and served with carrot, potato and beet casseroles.
Such interesting suggestions.
I think I will pick the bread or the tarts but make a handout with these different foods you all have discussed here.
Oh yes I never even thought of that.
Good catch.
in finnish it is lipeäkala.
depends on how you feel about your coworkers…
I recommend this rutabaga casserole:
Rutabaga Casserole (Lanttulaatikka)
lbs Rutabagas – 2 or 3 for 1 1/2 lbs
1/2 cups Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Heavy cream or half-and-half
2 Eggs, beaten
3 tbsp Dark corn syrup or molasses
1 tsp Ground ginger
Salt and white pepper – to season
3 tbsp Butter, cut into small cube
Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel the rutabagas, then cut them into large chunks. Place the rutabagas in a large saucepan and add water to cover and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and boil until cooked through and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside to steam dry.
Add the breadcrumbs, heavy cream, eggs, syrup or molasses, ginger, salt and white pepper to a large bowl and whisk together. Use a ricer or potato masher to mash the rutabagas until they are smooth. Stir the breadcrumb and cream mixture into the mashed rutabagas. Adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper.
Transfer the mashed rutabagas to a buttered casserole dish and make a decorative pattern on the top using a fork or spoon. Dot the top of the rutabagas with the butter and place in the oven.
Bake the lanttulaatikko for about 45 minutes, or until cooked through and browned on the top. Serve hot with roast or braised meats.
Reserve some of the breadcrumbs to sprinkle over the top of the lanttulaatikko before dotting it with the butter and baking.
@AHunter3
Thank you for such a detailed recipe.
Will consider this one as well.
It sounds delicious.
I have absolutely no idea how authentic this recipe is, but these are super-easy to make, and delicious:
Finnish Cardamom Cookies
1 c. flour
¼ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon (optional, I think this is an addition of mine that wasn’t in the original recipe)
1 tsp cardamom
1 egg
¾ c. sugar
½ c. butter
Preheat oven to 350 and melt butter. Mix flour, baking soda, and spices together. In another bowl, beat sugar, egg, and melted butter together. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; mix well; drop onto cookie sheet. Bake until light brown.
It does look like an easy one to make!
Even I should be able to do this lol.