Editing Kalakukko

{{Short description|Finnish savoury pie}}
{{Italic title}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox food
| name             = Kalakukko
| name_lang        = fi
| name_italics     = true
| image            = Kalakukko.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = 
| alternate_name   = 
| country          = [[Finland]]
| region           = [[Northern Savonia]]
| creator          = 
| course           = 
| type             = [[Savoury pie]]
| served           = 
| main_ingredient  = Bread (rye flour), fish (usually [[Coregonus albula|vendace]], [[European perch]], or [[salmon]])
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| other            = 
}}
[[File:Kalakukko (opened).jpg|right|thumb|{{Lang|fi|Kalakukko}} opened]]

'''{{Lang|fi|Kalakukko}}''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈkɑlɑˌkukːo|lang}}) is a traditional [[Finland|Finnish]] dish from the region of [[Savonia (historical province)|Savonia]] made from fish (e.g., perch, vendace, loach, smelt, or salmon) baked inside a loaf of bread. {{Lang|fi|Kalakukko}} is especially popular in [[Kuopio]], capital city of the [[Northern Savonia]] region. Kuopio is home to many {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} bakeries. The city also hosts an annual {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} baking contest.<ref name="areena">{{cite web|url=http://areena.yle.fi/video/1642574|title=Perjantaina klo 12.30 - Yle Uutiset Keski-Pohjanmaa|website=areena.yle.fi|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=30 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330123632/http://areena.yle.fi/video/1642574|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Flour==
Traditionally, {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} is prepared with rye flour (like {{Lang|fi|[[ruisleipä]]}}), although wheat is often added to make the dough more pliable. The filling consists of [[Fish as food|fish]], [[pork]] and [[bacon]], and is seasoned with [[salt]] (unless the pork is already salted). After being baked for several hours, traditionally in a [[masonry oven]], {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} looks much like a large loaf of [[rye bread]]. If prepared correctly, bones of the fish soften and the meat and fish juices cook thoroughly inside the bread. This results in a moist filling.

==Fish==
Traditionally, the fish used in {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} is either [[Coregonus albula|vendace]] ({{langx|fi|muikku}}), or [[European perch]] ({{langx|fi|ahven}}). Sometimes [[Salmon as food|salmon]] is used. In southern Savonia the vendace is advocated as the only fish for the true {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} whereas in the northern parts of the province the same is said about the perch. Instead of fish, combinations of potato and pork or [[rutabaga]] and pork are also used. The appropriate drink to accompany {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} is [[buttermilk]] or {{Lang|fi|[[piimä]]}}.

{{Lang|fi|Kalakukko}} will keep for a long time when unopened. It used to be a practical lunch for workers away from home.

==Serving==
{{Lang|fi|Kalakukko}} can be reheated in an oven. It takes about one hour in {{convert|130|°C}} if the size of the {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} is about {{convert|1|kg}}. It can also be eaten cold. The usual way to eat {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} is to open the top with a sharp knife, eat the top with butter, and then slice some of the bread making the hole on the top larger and eat it with the filling.

==Etymology==
Some Finnish speakers today find the name {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} somewhat amusing, as {{Lang|fi|kala}} is Finnish for "fish" and {{Lang|fi|kukko}} is "rooster", leading to the often used but non-morphological translation, "fish cock". Previous theories suggested that the archaic form of {{Lang|fi|kukko}} is derived from the same root as {{Lang|fi|kukkaro}} (purse). {{Lang|fi|Kukko}} also might come from a Finnish word of {{Lang|fi|kukkula}}, hill, because the dish is elevated. However, in 2008 new research demonstrated that {{Lang|fi|kukko}} is a loan from [[Low German]] and shares the same origin as modern German {{Lang|de|küchen}} (to cook) and English ''cake''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kotus.fi/nyt/kysymyksia_ja_vastauksia/sanojen_alkuperasta/sanojen_alkuperasta_j-k/kalakukko | title=Kalakukko }}</ref>

{{Lang|fi|Kalakukko}} obtained [[Protected Geographical Status|Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)]] status in Europe in 2002.<ref name="DOORTSG">[http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/registeredName.html?denominationId=368 EU Profile-Kalakukko] (accessed 19 July 2010)</ref>

==Hanna Partanen's {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} bakery==
[[File:Hanna Partanen - kalakukkoleipomo - Kasarmikatu - Kuopio - m.jpg|thumb|right|Hanna Partanen's {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} bakery at Kasarmikatu 15 in Kuopio.]]
Hanna Partanen's (1891–1969) {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} bakery in [[Kuopio]], [[Northern Savonia]] was Finland's most famous {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} bakery at its time. Famous guests have included American presidents and Soviet leaders along with [[President of Finland]] [[Urho Kekkonen]]. The bakery still bakes {{Lang|fi|kalakukko}} by hand from Finnish materials in the same central location at Kasarmikatu 15 in Kuopio. The bakery is currently run by Hanna's grandson Lauri Partanen and employs 10 to 20 people depending on the season.<ref>[https://areena.yle.fi/1-1293125 "Hanna Partasen kalakukko elää ja voi hyvin"] (in English: "Hanna Partanen's kalakukko is alive and well"), [[YLE]] 29 November 2010. Accessed on 21 September 2017.</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Finland|Food}}
* {{Lang|fi|[[Lihapiirakka]]}}
* {{Lang|fi|[[Lörtsy]]}}
* [[Finnish cuisine]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Kalakukko}}

[[Category:Savoury pies]]
[[Category:Finnish cuisine]]
[[Category:Finnish products with protected designation of origin]]
[[Category:Kuopio]]
[[Category:Fish dishes]]
[[Category:Pork dishes]]
[[Category:Bacon dishes]]
[[Category:Finnish breads]]
[[Category:Rye-based dishes]]
[[Category:Traditional Speciality Guaranteed products from Finland]]
[[Category:Stuffed dishes]]
[[Category:Street food in Finland]]