So, I bought some Finsk rågbröd (Finnish rye bread).
Rågbröd is pronounced kind of like "rogue bread", and it is indeed the roguest of breads.
On their own, these things are pretty heavy and tough. They remind me of English muffins, but they are more pleasant to eat straight; I expect that they would also be great with butter on them. I'm not Finnish (to my knowledge), so I don't know how they would normally be served.
To break up the monotony of eating plain bread, I decided to add some kalkonpastrami (turkey pastrami).
This stuff is quite the tasty.
Now I have achieved a truly Scandinavian delight: The smörgås (famous from everyone's favourite Swedish word, the smörgåsbord). Smörgåsar are effectively open sandwiches. Swedes always acknowledge that these ARE sandwiches, despite the lack of actual sandwiching. In particular, the Scandinavian sandwich deathgrip (not pictured) is required to properly wield such a device.
These were okay. Butter and cheese would have gone a long way, too. Maybe something sweet on top, like jam, and served with coffee, would be ideal. The Finns (and Scandinavians) do love their coffee.
Next: Kanelbullar.
Comments
Michael Gauthier - October 1, 2009 3:04 pm
I would like to see a photograph of this so-called Scandinavian sandwich death grip.
Maria - October 1, 2009 3:18 pm
This brings back memories! The Finns do like their coffee, it's made stronger than here, and tastes different, but is still very good. You need to get some Lingonberry sauce for that sandwich!
Foreign Mike - October 7, 2009 9:46 am
Domestic Mike, I used to have such a thing but I do not know where it is now. Maybe I will demonstrate in person, although I am far from a black belt in the art of Scandinavian sandwich death grippage.
Maria, good idea. That'll finally make the Finns realize I'm truly one of them.