Joulupöytä (translated "Christmas table") is the name
of the traditional food board served at
Christmas in
Finland. It contains many different dishes, most of them
typical for the season. The main dish is usually a large
Christmas ham, which is eaten with mustard or bread along with the other dishes. Fish is
also served (often
lutefisk and
gravlax), and with the ham there are also so-called "laatikot",
casseroles with liver and raisins or potatoes or rice and
carrots. The traditional Christmas beverage is either
alcoholic or non-alcoholic mulled wine ("glögi" in Finnish).
The traditional dishes of joulupöytä contain:
-
- Ham
Boiled potatoes
Lutefisk and white sauce
Gravlax
Liver and raisin casserole
Potato casserole
Carrot casserole
Turnip casserole
Rosolli (salad from boiled beetroots, carrots, potatoes and cucumber. If served with herring, it becomes sillisalaatti)
Liver pudding
Various sashimi, usually from salmon, whitefish and pikeperch
Pickled herring in various forms (tomato, mustard, matjes or onion sauces)
Mustard
Various sauces
- Ham
Beverages most often served are:
-
- Akvavit as appetizer
- Mulled wine
- Beer, usually special Christmas brands. Most Finnish breweries have seasonal beers for Christmas.
- Milk
- Wine is uncommon, but not rare
The usual desserts are:
-
- Plum soup
Rice porridge
Ice cream with jam
Confectioneries and other sweets, especially chocolate
- Plum soup
Usually the rice porridge is served from a large, common kettle and an almond has been hidden in it. The one who gets the almond gets his or her Christmas presents first.
External links
Categories: Christmas food