After the second series of workshops Our Cuisine = Our Stories presented Taste Exchange at Helsinki's open-air market (Kauppatori) in September.
Arriving at the square and setting up, the workshop
participants brought the item they had previously made, to share in the boxes.
There was pumpkin pie, miso beans, apple juice, fennel salad and a sweet mint
treat. Inside the boxes a food item, story and napkin were placed.
Slowly people began asking questions, interested to find out what we were doing and what was in the boxes! A Finnish woman looked out onto the sea thinking about a memory and story to share:
‘A Finnish Lake fish HAUKI
I remember my childhood summers in our summerhouse next to a beautiful lake, my brother used to spend hours and hours trying to catch – a big one. Once he succeeded and brought home a beautiful self caught fish of 7kgs. He was so proud. Many photos were taken. I was always too scared of fish or to go fishing with him. The fish lasted for 3 dinners, shared by 4 people. Good times.’
She then chose from the tower of boxes. Opening it she read:
‘A Finnish Lake fish HAUKI
I remember my childhood summers in our summerhouse next to a beautiful lake, my brother used to spend hours and hours trying to catch – a big one. Once he succeeded and brought home a beautiful self caught fish of 7kgs. He was so proud. Many photos were taken. I was always too scared of fish or to go fishing with him. The fish lasted for 3 dinners, shared by 4 people. Good times.’
She then chose from the tower of boxes. Opening it she read:
The pumpkin is autumn, it is thanksgiving, it is Halloween, it is American, it is childhood. Most people use canned pumpkin to make their pies, which is actually quite good. But for a truly excellent pie roast your own pumpkin, it is more fun, more satisfying and the only option if you live in a Nordic country on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
She was excited to receive a small delicious treat from the other side of the world.