Ever been to a Baltic Herring Fair? They happen in the fall, so mark your calendars. (They've been happening since the 1600s, so you probably don't have to go this year.)
Here's the schedule:
- Vaasa Baltic Herring and White Fish Fair, 4–5 September 2009
- Pori Baltic Herring Fair, 4–6 September 2009
- Rauma Baltic Herring Fair, 19–20 September 2009
- Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair, 4–10 October 2009
- Turku Baltic Herring Fair, 22–25 October 2009
The Baltic Herring Fair in October is currently the oldest running traditional event in Helsinki. It's held in Market Square. Come hungry; the two largest fairs Hellsinki and Turku dish out around 100,000 kilos of fish every year.
Baltic herrings are smaller than those found off the coasts of Britain and the US. They tell me the low salt content of the Balitc Sea is responsible for the softer flesh and more delicate taste. You can eat them in their salted form, or get them in a number of marinades like rowan berry, citrus and cayanne. Fried herring with mashed potatoes and pickled beet is another Finnish classic dish.
Scandinavian winters kept the boats in the harbor, so fall is when you traditionally stocked up on protein to keep you going over the long, dark winter.
Herring has a widespread appeal all over Europe as a relatively abundant staple. Kyle Phillips tells us that a staple of Italians near Vicenzo is Polenta e Scopeton, polenta and herring. Hank Shaw brings us a Scottish recipe for Herring with an Oatmeal-Nut Crust. Rosa Jackson includes herring in many guises in Five things I love about Helsinki. And finally, the Dutch celebrate the Hollandse Nieuwe, the New Herring, in late spring.
Here's some resources to get you started on a trip to Helsinki for the Herring Fair: Helsinki Guide | Fly into Helsinki Vantaa Airport | See a Map of Scandinavia | After Helsinki, take a trip north to Finland's Taiga Forest and see brown bears and wolverines.