Ruokapyrstöjä

Ruokapyrstöjä, meaning "food tails" in Finnish, refers to a traditional Finnish dish. It is a savory pastry, typically filled with rice pudding or a rice porridge. The pastry itself is often made from a yeasted dough, giving it a slightly sweet and soft texture. The filling is usually cooked rice, mixed with milk, sugar, and sometimes butter or an egg for richness.

The preparation involves shaping the dough into a flattened base, spreading the rice pudding onto it, and then folding the dough over the filling to create a sealed parcel. This parcel is then baked until golden brown. Ruokapyrstöjä can be enjoyed as a sweet snack or a light meal. It is often served warm.

While rice pudding is the most common filling, variations exist. Some recipes might incorporate raisins or cinnamon into the rice filling for added flavor. The exact proportions of ingredients and shaping techniques can vary by region and family tradition within Finland. The dish is a good example of simple, comforting home cooking that has been passed down through generations.