Fall has barely started and it is already offering perfect conditions for soup. I would not have even considered making soup even a few days ago and I also may not want to be making any this weekend - it is supposed to get to 80°F (~27°C) here in Minneapolis. Today, however, my mind has been flooded with all kinds of soups to look forward to as the weather turns and stays cold. When I lived in Finland, the soups I remember having went beyond the often sited Lohikeitto (Salmon Soup) and Hernekeitto (Pea Soup). At the University of Oulu and University of Tampere, the student cafeteria often served a wide range of soups including the aforementioned Finnish staples, as well as varieties like carrot, carrot ginger, spinach, potato, beef stew, hotdog soup, even berry and mixed fruit varieties. I often made myself a curry coconut lentil soup in my student kitchen because it was economical, warming, spicy, and just different from what I could find at the student restaurant.

Soup is such a great food because it is thoroughly nutritious and so satisfying. Nothing warms you up quite like a big bowl of soup. Throw in some toasted rye bread or other crusty variety and you had yourself a delightful meal. Since returning the the US, I have made a lot of salmon soup in particular. It apparently has left quite the impression with a few of my friends. One friend, Glenn, told me that I was listed in his phone as “Elizabeth Salmon Soup.” Although I don’t think I will be changing my name anytime soon, it is pretty hilarious that the salmon soup I brought to the 612 Sauna Society build on the most snowy day I can remember, turned out to leave that kind of lasting impression on Glenn and my other sauna-build friends. In bringing salmon soup to the build, it was my way of covertly ensuring that there would be much Finnish influence in the construction of our lovely group project. Considering it has held up over the past 7 years now, I’d like to believe it helped.

Here are a few of our favorite Finnish soup recipies for you to make this fall and winter:

What are your favorite soups and soup memories? Share below in the comments! Happy slurping!