Finnish Cuisine Delicacy VI: silli ja uudet perunat

This is something you normally can't find in any cook books or delicacy lists. Yet it's one of the most popular Summer dishes in Finland. I have a hunch that it's very common in Sweden too, and maybe in other countries as well, but being such a simple and modest dish it's not that much advertised. Correct me if I'm wrong.

"Silli ja uudet perunat" means herring and fresh potatos (sill och nypotatis). Fresh meaning they have been picked only days before; not from last year's harvest. Old potatos won't do this time, so this is mostly a delicacy of each early Summer.

Normally it's convenient to add some "tilli" (dill/dill) there on the side. And of course some salad - preferably made of tomatos, cabbage, cucumber and such. Dill isn't present in the picture, because my wife doesn't like it and thus it's up to me to remember to buy it. Well, that's why it's not on my plate either (pictured). "Ruohosipuli" (shallot/gräslök) with "kermaviili" (sour cream/gräddfil) gives a nice extra touch to it. All you need then is some milk or sour milk to drink it with.

It's easy to cook fresh potatos. Remember not to peel them - washing will do. The peel is so slim and has most of the vitamins there. These potatoes take only 30-something minutes to cook. Just like with 'normal' potatoes, put water so much so it barely hides all potatos. No salt needed - that's old-fashioned and not healthy (besides you'll get the salt from herring anyway). Don't over-cook them. SIMPLE AS-S, LOL!

There is a good selection of several types of herring jars. This time ABBA has no musical associations. You can easily variate the dish by trying out different herrings. Well, the herring itself stays the same, but the sauce variates. Sometimes it's good to add some raw onion rings in the herring jar to give it more taste. It's not a bad idea to boil an egg to eat with the rest.

If you haven't tried this yet, please do. Now's the season for it!