The Treasures of Finnish Forests

As with all Scandinavian countries, summer in Finland is the time when locals shed their overcoats and spend as much time as possible outside. One of the favorite pastimes is heading into the boreal forests to gather bilberries, cloudberries, raspberries, lingonberries and mushrooms, all of which are coveted by gourmet chefs both at home and abroad. The summer berries that aren’t eaten immediately are either frozen whole, or turned to jam or juice that’s preserved for use during the colder months. Locals enjoy the mushrooms atop salads, or turn them into sauces, soups, and casseroles.