Joulupöytä facts for kids
Joulupöytä (pronounced "YOH-loo-poy-tah") means "Yule table" or "Christmas table" in Finnish. It's a special collection of foods served during Christmas in Finland. This festive meal includes many different dishes, all perfect for the holiday season.
The main dish is usually a big Christmas ham. People often eat it with mustard. Other popular sides include a colorful salad called rosolli, made from beetroot, carrots, and potatoes. You might also find mushroom salad and different kinds of casseroles (called laatikko). These casseroles can be made from swede, carrot, or potato. Sometimes, there's even a liver casserole. Fish dishes like Gravlax (cured salmon) and herring are also common. Some families enjoy lutefisk (a type of dried fish) with boiled potatoes, peas, and rye bread.
For dessert, Finns love prune jam tarts and gingerbread cookies. Rice porridge with plum kisel (a type of fruit soup) is another favorite. To drink, people often have warm, spiced mulled wine, known as glögi in Finnish. It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
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Popular Christmas Dishes
The Finnish Christmas table is filled with many tasty foods. Here are some of the most popular dishes you might find:
Main Dishes and Sides
- Christmas Ham: This is often the star of the meal, served with mustard.
- Rutabaga Casserole: A creamy, baked dish made from rutabaga (a root vegetable).
- Carrot Casserole: Another sweet and savory baked dish, made with carrots.
- Potato Casserole: This can be sweetened or plain, depending on family traditions.
- Rosolli: A colorful salad made from boiled beetroots, carrots, and potatoes. It often includes apples and pickled cucumber. It's usually served with a sour cream sauce, and sometimes with eggs or herring.
- Boiled Potatoes: Simple and comforting, often served mashed or whole.
- Rye Bread: A staple on the Finnish table.
- Fish Dishes: Cured salmon (Gravlax), Pickled herring, and fish roe are common. They are often served with chopped onion and sour cream.
- Mushroom Salad: A fresh and earthy side dish.
- Boiled Beans: A simple vegetable side.
- Liver Casserole: A rich, savory baked dish.
- Karelian Stew: A hearty meat stew, especially popular in the Karelia region of Finland.
- Lipeäkala (Lutefisk): A traditional dried fish dish, served with melted butter or a white sauce.
Drinks for the Holidays
Many different drinks are served during the Christmas meal. Here are some common ones:
- Schnapps: Drinks like Koskenkorva Viina are sometimes served as an appetizer for adults.
- Beer: Many Finnish breweries make special Christmas beers. Homemade non-alcoholic beer is also a traditional choice.
- Milk: A simple and popular drink for everyone.
- Mulled Wine (Glögi): This warm, spiced drink is a Christmas favorite. It can be made with or without alcohol.
Sweet Treats and Desserts
No Christmas meal is complete without delicious desserts! Here are some of the most popular Finnish Christmas sweets:
- Prune Jam Pastries: Also known as joulutorttu, these are star-shaped pastries filled with prune jam.
- Gingerbread: Called piparkakku, these cookies are often shaped like flowers or stars. Some families even build amazing 3D gingerbread houses and decorate them with sugar icing.
- Candies and Chocolates: A variety of sweets, especially chocolates and fruit marmalade candies, are enjoyed.
- Rice Porridge: Known as riisipuuro, this creamy porridge is served with cinnamon, sugar, and cold milk. Sometimes, it's served with raisin or mixed fruit soup. A fun tradition is to hide an almond in the porridge. The person who finds the almond might get their Christmas presents first or get a special wish!
- Glögi: This mulled wine is often served with almonds and raisins floating in it.
- Mixed Fruit Soup or Kiisseli: A runny plum dessert, often served with rice porridge or whipped cream.
- Cakes: Fruit, date, or other types of cakes are also popular.
- Coffee: Finns love their coffee, usually a mild roast. Tea is less common.
