When people hear that I’m from Finland, they always start to rattle off Finnish things they just absolutely love. I’ve heard most of them — from sauna to sisu and from NHL players to rock bands and even some presidents and war heroes — so I just politely smile and nod.
However, I also have another reason to smile.
Every time I hear the list of usual suspects, I know my true love is still a well-kept secret.
The lihapiirakka, that greasy, deep-fried meat-and-rice pie that’s still ubiquitous in Finland.
Of course, I didn’t find the lihapiirakka myself. My parents introduced me to it. Being the only child of two working parents, one of whom used to sell kitchen appliances and had easy access to the first affordable household microwave ovens, the lihapiirakka became my go-to meal.
To this day, I can eat a lihapiirakka for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Or all of the above.
