Kalakukko facts for kids
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| Type | Savoury pie |
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| Place of origin | Savonia |
| Region or state | Northern Savonia |
| Main ingredients | Bread (rye flour), fish (usually vendace, European perch, or salmon) |
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Kalakukko is a traditional and unique food from Finland. It's like a tasty pie made with fish baked inside a loaf of bread. This special dish comes from a part of Finland called Savonia. It's very popular in Kuopio, which is the main city in Northern Savonia. Kuopio has many bakeries that make kalakukko, and they even hold a contest every year to find the best kalakukko baker!
Contents
What is Kalakukko Made Of?
Traditionally, kalakukko is made with rye flour. This is the same type of flour used for many Finnish breads. Sometimes, a little wheat flour is added. This makes the dough easier to work with.
The inside of the kalakukko is filled with fish, pork, and bacon. It's also seasoned with salt. After the dough is ready, the filling is placed inside. Then, the bread is baked for many hours. It used to be baked in a special masonry oven. When it's done, kalakukko looks like a big loaf of rye bread.
If kalakukko is made correctly, the fish bones become soft. The meat and fish juices cook perfectly inside the bread. This makes the filling very moist and delicious.
What Kind of Fish is Used?
The fish used in kalakukko is usually vendace (called muikku in Finnish). Another common choice is European perch (ahven in Finnish). Sometimes, salmon is also used.
People in different parts of Savonia have their favorite fish for kalakukko. In southern Savonia, many believe vendace is the only fish for a true kalakukko. But in northern Savonia, they often say perch is the best.
Instead of fish, some kalakukko can be made with other fillings. These might include potato and pork or rutabaga and pork. A popular drink to have with kalakukko is buttermilk or piimä.
Kalakukko can stay fresh for a long time if it's not opened. Because of this, it used to be a very practical lunch. Workers could take it with them when they were away from home.
How to Eat Kalakukko
You can eat kalakukko warm or cold. If you want to warm it up, you can put it in an oven. A 1 kg (about 2.2 lb) kalakukko takes about one hour at 130°C (266°F).
The usual way to eat kalakukko is to open the top with a sharp knife. You can eat the top part of the bread with butter. Then, you slice more of the bread to make the opening bigger. This lets you scoop out and eat the tasty filling inside.
In 2002, kalakukko received a special status in Europe. It was named a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) product. This means it's recognized as a traditional food made in a specific way.
Hanna Partanen's Famous Bakery
Hanna Partanen (1891–1969) had a very famous kalakukko bakery in Kuopio. It was known as Finland's most famous kalakukko bakery during her time. Many important people visited her bakery. These included American presidents, Soviet leaders, and even the President of Finland, Urho Kekkonen.
Today, the bakery still makes kalakukko by hand. They use Finnish ingredients and are located in the same central spot in Kuopio. Hanna's grandson, Lauri Partanen, now runs the bakery. It employs 10 to 20 people, depending on the time of year.
See also
In Spanish: Kalakukko para niños
