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Cabbage Casserole — traditional dish from Turku, Finland
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥540kcal
💪20gProtein
🌾50gCarbs
🥑25gFat
🌿5gFibre
⚖️250 gServing

* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Cabbage Casserole

How to order / say it
Say it Kaalilaatikko — [KAH-lee-lah-tik-koh]
Order I'd like the cabbage casserole, please.
Locally Haluaisin kaalilaatikkoa, kiitos.
Say locally

A hearty casserole made with cabbage, rice, and ground meat.

Why try it?

Kaalilaatikko is a quintessential Finnish comfort food, perfect for understanding the home-cooked essence of Finnish meals. This dish embodies the resourcefulness and simplicity beloved in Finnish homes.

How it tastes

The casserole is a savory blend of tender cabbage mixed with ground meat and rice, all lightly seasoned for a homely flavor. A hint of sweetness from possibly added syrup enriches the taste.

Origin & History — first documented: 1850

This casserole emerged as a practical dish during the 19th century, combining affordable and available ingredients. As cabbage storage improved, it became an essential part of Finnish winter cuisine, and its comforting nature has made it endure.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 500 g cabbage
  • 🥩 300 g ground beef
  • 🌾 100 g rice
  • 🧄 1 large onion
  • 🍯 50 ml syrup

Method

  1. 1 Cook rice according to package instructions.
  2. 2 In a pan, brown the ground meat with chopped onions.
  3. 3 Mix cooked rice, meat, and sliced cabbage in a casserole dish.
  4. 4 Add syrup and bake for 40 minutes until golden on top.

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All Europe recipes — Finland — Turku — Cabbage Casserole
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