Karelian hot pot explained

Karelian hot pot
Alternate Name:Karelian stew, Finnish: karjalanpaisti
Country:Karelia
Region:Karelia
Finland
Creators:-->
Type:Stew
Main Ingredient:Meat (pork, beef, or lamb), black peppercorns

The Karelian hot pot (British)[1] or Karelian stew (US)[2] (Karelian: päččiliha[3] ; Finnish: karjalanpaisti; Russian: рагу по-карельски ; Swedish: karelsk stek) is a traditional meat stew originating from the region of Karelia. It is commonly prepared using a combination of pork and beef, but elk or lamb can also be used. Along with the Karelian pasties, it is the most widely recognized Karelian food in Finland. In 2007, it was selected as the national dish of Finland by the readers of the Finnish tabloid .[4] In a similar poll organized by the ELO Foundation for the Promotion of Finnish Food Culture in cooperation with the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) and the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in autumn 2016, Karelian hot pot took second place, losing to rye bread.[5]

The hot pot is typically seasoned with black peppercorns, salt, bay leaves and allspice. Common vegetables such as carrots, onions, and root vegetables are acceptable additions to the stew.

Like most other Karelian foods, the Karelian hot pot is traditionally braised (cooked in a pot (or in Finnish) placed inside an oven). In Karelia, it is usually referred to as merely 'oven stew' . The term Karelian hot pot can be used to refer to nearly any food that contains meat and that is prepared in this traditional Karelian fashion.

Due to the scarcity of meat in the past, the hot pot was traditionally only prepared for festive occasions. As meat became more readily available during the 20th century, the dish became a common, everyday food throughout Finland.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The American Heritage Dictionary entry: hot pot . 2024-01-01 . The American Heritage Dictionary.
  2. Web site: Fred Ferretti . Fare Of The Country - Finnish Stew Of Meaty Riches - Nytimes.Com . Finland . . 1986-08-03 . 2016-01-02.
  3. Book: Lappalainen, Hannu . Gastronominem sanasto Suomi-Livvinkarjala . Karjala Sivistysseura ry . 2023 . 978-952-7193-82-2 . 4 . fi . Giloeva . Natalia . Gastronomic terms Finnish-Livvi Karelian.
  4. Web site: Haapio . Markku . 6 December 2007 . Se on karjalanpaisti! . It is karjalanpaisti! . 28 December 2016 . . fi.
  5. Web site: The people have spoken - rye bread is the national food. yle.fi. Yle. 8 February 2017. 19 January 2017.