Lingonberry -Wild Food from Finland
Wild food – berries, mushrooms, wild herbs and vegetables as well as fish, game and reindeer – is derived straight from Arctic Finnish nature.Lingonberry lingonberries are used to produce juice, jam, dried berries and berry powders.The lingonberry is a culinary chameleon, transforming from sweet to savory with ease. Traditionally used in juices, porridges, and jams, its tartness complements savory dishes like reindeer stew and cabbage casserole. When paired with the sweetness of caramel, lingonberries shine in baked goods
Lingonberry Pie
This classic Finnish dessert combines the tartness of lingonberries with a soft, buttery crust.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
75g unsalted butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup potato starch
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon baking powder
For the filling:
4 cups (200g) lingonberries (fresh or frozen)
2 teaspoons potato starch (for frozen berries)
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
Instructions:
Prepare the crust: Cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, potato starch, cardamom, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Assemble the pie: Press the dough into a 10-inch pie plate.
Prepare the filling: If using frozen berries, thaw them slightly and toss with the potato starch.
Combine filling ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla sugar.
Assemble the pie: Pour the lingonberries into the prepared crust. Pour the egg mixture over the berries.
Bake: Bake in a preheated 200°C (400°F) oven for about 40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
Serve: Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips:
For a crispier crust, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
If you don't have potato starch, cornstarch can be used as a substitute.
For a richer flavor, add a pinch of salt to the crust.
Enjoy this traditional Finnish treat!