Vappu means party :)

Vappu is coming and I am looking forward to the annual day of crazed drunken Finns running around Helsinki in goofy-looking white hats and auto mechanic coveralls :) Jarkko gives me a dirty look whenever I mention just how goofy the hats, the ylioppilaslakki, look on people...and I like wearing hats :) It is the day for labour and university students and just about everyone else who feels like getting their May Day drink on and snack/funnel cake on. Here's to the onset of May and hopefully it won't snow this year. :)

"Vappu is the Memorial Day of Saint Labor, holiday of spring and university students and also the workers international festival and demonstration day. It has been celebrated in Finland since 1890, and, in addition, in many countries it has been paid day-off since 1918. At Vappu, students and family generally drink mead and eat Mayday fritters, however, some drink beer and other alcoholic drinks.

Big festivals abound in the city streets and in market places. People of all ages wear their student caps. Students gather around a statue, such as havasamanda in Helsinki, and wash the statue before putting a white cap on her head."

A Vappu lexicon....

• tippaleipä : a "funnel cake" sort of food.
• sima : Finnish bubbly lemonade.
• Wappu/Vappu : May 1st.
• haalarit : the overalls that used to only be worn by technical students, which have subsequently been appropriated by all students. Students often exchange portions of their sleeves/pants' leg with each other and then sew them on their own, giving them different color combos.
• ylioppilaslakki : the white and black hat worn by students. For older people, their hats are usually yellowed with age though :)

May Day Cookies
Tippaleivät

• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 dl milk
• 4 dl flour
• ½ tsp vanilla

To fry:

• vegetable or coconut oil

Mix the eggs and sugar, but don't beat! Add the other ingredients and stir into a smooth batter.

Put the batter into a paper cone or a pastry bag fitted with a small-holed nozzle.

Squeeze the batter in a thin band into the hot oil. Use a spiral motion to form nest-like cookies. If possible, use a metal ring in the pot to keep the cookies in shape.

When the cookies have turned golden brown, remove and drain them on paper towels.

Dust the cold cookies with powdered sugar.

I have read another recipe in Finnish that suggests using a metal soup ladle, sitting half-submerged in hot oil, to shape the cakes which seems far more practical than a 'metal ring'

25 Apr 2003 at 23:06, Helsinki