Tour du monde du BBQ #8 - In 2020, Kokko transforms itself into a globe-trotter and offers you a "tour du monde du BBQ" to discover the history of grilling, smoking and roasting through different gastronomies. For this eighth stopover, we're donning our parka and heading north to Finland. Put on your gloves, heat up the coals and set up the grills: off you go!
What is a Kota-grill?
The Kota, which translates as 'hunting shelter', is above all a small, hexagonal-shaped wooden cottage that is very popular in Finland. Born in Lapland at the beginning of the 20th century, it serves as a refuge from potentially dangerous wild animals, as well as from the cold. But the Kota is more than just a shelter. Its special feature is a large wood-fired barbecue in the centre of the chalet , topped by a hood that allows smoke to be vented outside. All around the central fireplace, wooden benches allow you to prepare the barbecue, cook your food on the grill, smoke it and share a meal around the fire.
Camping des Blats
In other words, the Kota-grill is the perfect place to organise a winter barbecue party!
The Kota-grill tradition
The Kota-grill is extremely popular in Finland. Originally intended as a shelter for the Sami, the indigenous people of Lapland who made their living from fishing and reindeer herding, the Kota has gradually established itself as the ideal refuge for... partying! Indeed, even when winter temperatures are harsh outside, Finnish families and friends gather in Kota-grills to share a meal and a convivial moment together. Sometimes, in modern versions of the Kota, the cottages even house a sauna, another great Finnish tradition!
Lechateaudeslumieres
Culinary specialities at the Kota-grill
Finnish gastronomy hasn't always had a good reputation, but some of its specialities are well worth a visit.
Smoked salmon
Fish, caught from the lakes and the Baltic Sea, is a particularly popular Finnish delicacy. Among the most common are herring and salmon. The latter is commonly eaten raw, in Gravlax, i.e. brined and, depending on the region, flavoured with berries, dill, vodka and so on. But salmon is also traditionally smoked, in Kota-grills. If you'd like to try your hand at making homemade smoked fish, have a look at our recipe for trout smoked with applewood, deliciously flavoured with juniper berries and vodka. The perfect introduction to Scandinavian cuisine!
Reindeer meat
When it comes to meat, reindeer is particularly popular with Finns. It is most often stewed as "poronkäristys" - "poro" meaning reindeer - but all parts of the animal are available from butchers, including steaks, which are grilled over an open fire in the Kota-grill. Reindeer is usually accompanied by potatoes.
The grillimakkara
It's THE specialty to make at Kota-grill! But what are grillimakkara? Grilled sausages, a Finnish specialty. They're eaten all year round, in summer and winter alike, washed down with beer and served with mustard. If you're wondering whether or not to spike your sausages, we've got the answer . We've got the answer.
Grilled cheese and wild berries
Finnish nature abounds in herbs, berries and red fruits, which are often found in traditional Finnish recipes. Lingonberries, cranberries and bilberries are eaten in pies - Mustikkapiirakka is the famous bilberry pie - cakes, jams, dried, fresh or in juice. They are also used to garnish bread cheese, or Leipäjuusto, a pancake-like flat cheese baked over a wood fire and served with red fruit jam before being dipped in coffee!
Change course and fly to South Korea to discover discover Bulgogi.
