Top 7 Northern European Vegetable Soups

Considered an essential part of the Finnish food culture, hernekeitto is a thick split pea soup cooked with pork that is traditionally prepared and served every Thursday throughout the country. Followed by a delicious pannukakku – an oven-baked pancake served with a big spoonful of berry jam, this well-rounded dish holds a special place in every Finn's heart. The custom of indulging in such calorie-laden, homemade meals is rooted in the tradition of celebrating Laskiainen. This pagan holiday is related to Christian Lenten, dates back to the early Middle Ages, and marks the beginning of spring fasting, prior to which Finns feast on rich, fatty foods. Only a remnant of religious practices, Laskiainen is nowadays celebrated as a secular family holiday during which people visit numerous fairs and other outdoor events where hernekeitto can be enjoyed fresh from the steaming pots simmering over bonfires. Flavored with marjoram and black pepper, this hearty soup is topped with a dab of zingy mustard and served with rye bread.Expand

Köttsoppa is a hearty meat and vegetable soup that is commonly served in Sweden for lunch or dinner. The usual ingredients for its preparation include boiled meat, typically beef, chopped carrots, onions, parsnip, celery, and leeks, cooked in a pot and seasoned with thyme, white peppercorns, bay leaves, parsley, and salt. Normally served with plain, boiled potatoes and horseradish sauce, this flavorful soup is considered a variation of pot-au-feu. The dish is commonly eaten in Finland and Iceland as well. In Iceland, the traditional meat soup called kjötsúpa is a variation of this soup that calls for lamb instead of beef. Expand

Kasvissosekeitto is a traditional vegetable soup originating from Finland. The soup is usually made with a combination of vegetable stock, onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, cream, salt, and black pepper. The vegetables are boiled in the stock until soft and then mashed or puréed and strained. Salt, pepper, and cream are added to the mixture, and the soup is heated and stirred until thick and creamy. Once done, kasvissosekeitto is often garnished with dill or parsley and served piping hot.Expand

Ärtsoppa is a traditional yellow pea soup that was originally prepared from fast-growing peas. It was extremely popular among the poor people who used to cook all of the ingredients in the same pot because they didn't have more than one. The soup is very thick in texture (similar to a stew), yellow in color, and it is traditionally eaten on Thursdays, a practice that dates back to the time when the bellies needed to be full before fasting started on Fridays. Other ingredients include thin slices of pink salt pork and spices such as onions, marjoram, ginger and cloves. If the soup is served without pork, it might come as a part of a second course, accompanied by mustard and boiled potatoes. In that case, there is also a third course - small, thin pancakes called plätter, consisting of eggs, milk, salt, and flour, fried until golden-brown and crisp-edged, ready to be paired with various fruit jams. A traditional liqueur called Punsch and crispy bread are ideal accompaniments to the beloved yellow pea soup, which is also a popular school food because it is inexpensive, flavorful, and quite easy to prepare.Expand

Pinaattikeitto is a traditional soup originating from Finland. The soup is usually made with a combination of spinach, butter, flour, milk, salt, sugar, white pepper, and hard-boiled eggs. The flour is cooked in butter and mixed with milk. The mixture is simmered and whisked until the mixture becomes thick. Spinach is added to the pot and more milk is added to the mixture, which is constantly stirred so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. The seasonings are added to the soup, and it’s then served hot with boiled egg halves on top.Expand

Kesäkeitto is a traditional vegetable soup originating from Finland. The soup is usually made with a combination of milk, potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower florets, spinach, flour, whipping cream, dill, salt, and black pepper. The carrots, potatoes, green beans, peas, and cauliflower are boiled in water until tender. Spinach is added for a minute, while the milk and flour are gently stirred into the soup. The remaining milk, whipping cream, and seasonings are added to the pot, and the soup is shortly simmered until hot. Before serving, kesäkeitto is garnished with dill sprigs.Expand

Although it originated as a simple, rustic dish, this comforting pea soup has turned into a national classic over the years. It usually consists of green or yellow split peas which are cooked together with various vegetables and seasonings. The dish is often complemented with pork or smoked meat. Traditionally associated with wintertime, it is a staple restaurant dish, along with being a hearty and nutritious home-cooked meal.Expand