January in Finland is cold. Currently, it's about 20°F! I have been dreaming of Finnish summer and can't wait to experience the summer activities and food again. One of my favorite meals to eat during Finnish summer is makkara (sausage). In the warmer and sunnier months, Finns usually grab a pack of makkara from the grocery store and head to the lake to grill them.
This past summer, I spent several summer evenings hiking to grilling stations by the lake. I grilled makkara (sausage), vaahtokarkki (marshmallows) and vegetables. After eating a delicious meal, my friends and I would take a dip in the lake and enjoy the super-late sunsets. All of the photos in the Food photo album were taken between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. -- the sun hadn't even set yet!
I tried a meat-free version of Finnish makkara! Typical makkara is made from beef and pork, but there are many plant-based options, too. Most Finns put mustard on their makkara.
I felt really accomplished and happy! I walked far into the forest to the grilling station, set up a fire and grilled the sausage myself. While this meal didn't take long in the kitchen, it took effort. It tasted amazing, especially since I watched the sunset at 11:00 p.m. while eating it.
