Salaatti

Salaatti is a dish consisting of mixed vegetables, fruits, or other ingredients served cold or at room temperature. In Finnish, the word salaatti is borrowed from the Swedish sallad, which in turn derives from the French salade. The concept covers a wide range of preparations, from simple green salads to more substantial mixtures that include grains, pasta, potatoes, legumes, or meat and fish.

Common ingredients in a traditional green salad include leafy greens such as lettuce or spinach, along with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. In regional and seasonal variations, chopped cabbage, radishes, carrots, and corn may be added. Fruit salads use items like apple, orange, berries, or mango. Potatoes, beets, and pasta are often used in more filling preparations, sometimes combined with mayonnaise, yogurt, sour cream, or vinaigrettes.

Dressings vary widely. Light vinaigrettes based on oil and vinegar or lemon juice are common, as are rich mayonnaise- or yogurt-based dressings. Herbs, cracked pepper, salt, mustard, and capers can be used for flavor.

Salanes are versatile and appear in many cuisines under different names. In Finland, perunasalaatti (potato salad) and vihersalaatti (green salad) are staples in everyday meals, while rose and festive salads may accompany holiday dishes. Overall, salaatti is a flexible dish that emphasizes fresh ingredients and balanced seasonings.