RECIPE: Porkkanalaatikko (Finnish Carrot Casserole)

Although we all love our traditional favourites at this upcoming festive time of year, such as turkey, ham, roast beef, lamb, and other main course meats, it’s fun trying something a bit more international to accompany the main attraction. Porkkanalaatikko is a carrot casserole dish from Finland. It makes a great substitute from the usual sweet potato dish, and will go well with any meat served.

Porkkanalaatikko can be made well in advance of any holiday feast, and any leftovers freeze quite well. You can even decorate this casserole in Finnish tradition!

Hyvää ruokahaluaa!

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 5-6 medium-sized carrots
• 1-1/2 cups brown rice, cooked
• 2 cups milk or cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp dark brown sugar or molasses
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 – 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup bread or cracker crumbs
• 1 tsp nutmeg (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Peel and finely shred the carrots into a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the cooked rice, milk, eggs, salt, brown sugar, and optional nutmeg, stirring until ingredients are mixed evenly.
4. Pour the carrot mixture into a greased casserole dish.
5. Melt the butter and combine it with the bread or cracker crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs over the carrot mixture.
   Optional: Once the casserole is fully prepped to go into the oven, you can decorate the dish by making shallow, patterned indentations with the tip of a spoon.
6. Bake for about 45 minutes, until crumbs are golden brown or until no liquid drains from the casserole when the edge is pulled away from the side.

Note: This recipe calls for brown rice, but if you prefer, white rice can be used instead.