End of the Road Recipes:

Kalamojakka ala Crappie Joe and Cream Ale Kalamojakka

In honor of Saint Urho’s Day (March 16th), I am sharing two kalamojakka (kala- moy-ah-ka) recipes. Kalamojakka is a Finnish fish soup.

The main components are fish (usually northern pike), potatoes, onion, and a thin, milk-based broth with a layer of butter floating on the surface. Sometimes fish heads were added for more flavor and to not be wasteful. I have heard stories of people being served kalamojakka as children and being warned to watch out for fish eyeballs. I highly respect nose-to-tail cooking, but if I was told this as a child, I would have been scarred for life. Feel free to add the heads if you want the full experience.

Back in the day, some folks held kalamojakka parties. Somebody would fire up a big pot and everyone who attended would bring an ingredient. This could be whatever fish they caught or a vegetable if they didn’t have any luck on the lake. Every time the kalamojakka would turn out a little bit different, but it was always an enjoyable event.

If you didn’t know, St. Urho gained his strength from drinking viili (fermented milk) and eating kalamojakka. Because of this, he was able to rid Finland of grasshoppers (or frogs as some say) and save the grape crops.

This year marks the 49th annual St. Urho’s Celebration in Finland, MN. The event runs from March 15-17. Event coordinator Honor Shauland says the theme this year is St. Urho Travels the World and there are fun-filled festivities for all ages.

Activities include a lihamojakka (Finnish beef soup) lunch, live music, activities for kids, door prizes, local restaurant specials, bonfires, craft sales, a parade, and a scavenger hunt, of sorts. Attendees can pick up a passport at the Finland Co-op or Clair Nelson Center and travel to participating locations to get it stamped. Participants need to get their passports checked prior to 3 p.m. on March 17 at the Four Seasons, then they will be entered into a prize drawing.

For more information and the full schedule of events, check out friendsoffinland. org.