Hernekeitto

Hernekeitto is a traditional Finnish soup made from dried green peas. It is a thick, hearty dish, typically prepared with pork or ham and sometimes with smoked bacon or sausage. The basic method involves soaking the peas and then simmering them with chopped onion, garlic, and stock or water, often with bay leaves and marjoram for flavor. Meat scraps are commonly added to enrich the broth, and the peas gradually break down to thicken the soup. Salt and pepper are used to taste.

Vegetarian and vegan variations are common, using vegetable stock and omitting meat. Some cooks also use only bones or smoked meat for flavor, while others focus on a purely legume-based soup. The texture ranges from smooth to chunky, depending on how long the peas are simmered and how much they are mashed.

Serving and accompaniment are simple and traditional. Hernekeitto is usually served hot, with mustard and a slice of rye bread. In many households and public eateries, the soup is paired with a pancake, known as pannukakku, as part of a long-standing Finnish tradition of serving hernekeitto with pancakes on certain days, especially in schools and institutions.

Cultural significance: Hernekeitto is a staple of Finnish autumn and winter cuisine and is closely associated with the country’s Thursday meal tradition. It embodies frugality, heartiness, and the use of local ingredients in Finnish cooking.