Sauteed Reindeer is Poronkäristys
- Brooke Brandon
- Jan 19, 2023
- 4 min read
Reindeer and people have a connection that is thousands of years old. First through hunting, then through domestication and herding. Humans rely on reindeer for milk, skins, furs, meat, and even the sinews (tendons) for constructing their sleds. The antlers are used for knife handles and tools. Today, the relationship is still alive and well as you can see in the northern parts of Finland.
A Trip To Lapland in Autumn
Hiking in the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Finland's oldest national park, is one the best ways to spend a week in Autumn. This also happens to be the rutting season for reindeer. During this time, the leading male collects a large group of females to form a harem and guards them carefully from competitors.
While the females graze on the fungi and lichen covered stones, the bull maintains the group by circling the females and keeping a watchful eye for predators and other bulls.
We were fortunate to see a small harem and their bull. We kept our distance and did not stay long in the area. These moments are breathtaking and unforgettable.
Solitude and Vast Fells in Lapland
On the last days of our autumn trip, our dear friend Heli joined us for a an overnight hike in the vastness of this Finnish fell landscape. We did see a few others on the trail, each time discussing the likelihood that they are headed to the same overnight hut as us. We hoped not.
We also saw two seperate reindeer herders working on their ATV's. Each driver accompanied by only their small Lapponian Herder, riding fearlessly on the back of the small vehicle. This Finnish dog has been bred specifically for herding and guarding the reindeer.
That evening we made it to the hut and enjoyed an amazing night with two other women who had been on the trail for several days. They were mothers and professionals looking for an escape into the solitude of this wilderness. I could tell this was something they did often. Their multi-day backpacking trip skin care routine was better than mine is at home.
I was lucky to see some northern lights, a short break in the clouds at the perfect moment. I was outside alone, and the green and white swirls rolled by like a wave. What I realized on this trip was how the life of a reindeer herder is one of solitude. They live alone in remote places with extreme weather conditions, sometimes for weeks at a time. They work with the cycles of nature to complete their work.
Photos by Tuomas Uola and Brooke Brandon
The Sámi People and the Life of a Reindeer Herder
The Sámi People are the only indigenous people of the European Union and inhabit areas of what is today northern parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia. The traditional Sámi lifestyle, dominated by a connection with Reindeer, was preserved until the Late Middle Ages, but began to shift as the Nordic countries were established.
The Sámi people lived and worked in so-called “siiddat” (reindeer herding groups). The Siida is an ancient Sámi community system which can be defined as a working partnership where the members had individual rights to resources but helped each other with the management of the herds. The Siida could consist of several families. They were nomadic and moved with their reindeer herds between winter and summer pastures.
Reindeer herding today is still based on traditional Sámi practices and the system of Siiddat. Additionally, the Sámi language is very rich in the terminology for reindeer husbandry and landscapes in general. This terminology is an important part of Sámi traditional knowledge and has been transmitted from one generation to the next, mostly orally. To be able to thrive in the extreme climate conditions has been, and still is important for the herders to have precise knowledge of the landscape. The Sámi language and its dialects have hundreds if not thousands, of exact terms and descriptive epithets for snow, ice and similar natural phenomena.
Sámi National Day is February 6
Out of the ten Sámi languages, nine are still spoken. Three of these are spoken in Finland: North Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi.
North Sámi: Sámi álbmotbeaivi
Inari Sámi: Säämi aalmugpeivi
Skolt Sámi: Saaʹmi meersažpeiʹvv
Swedish: Samiska nationaldagen
Finnish: Saamelaisten kansallispäivä
English: Sami national day
"With traditional roots intact, the Sami herders have managed to bridge into the modern world. I have observed nature being at once both beautiful and brutal, and it appears that the herding culture is still living in a rhythmic flow with nature. Through the Sami, I hope to better understand our role as stewards of the earth."
Quote from Photographer Erika Larsen of NPR, Photos from "Meet the Sami" at VisitFinland.com
Poronkäristys Recipe
Ingredients
400 g poroa ohuina viipaleina 1 lb. reindeer thinly sliced
1 sipuli 1 onion
4 maustepippuria 4 allspice berries
2 laakerinlehteä 2 bay leaves
½ tölkki lager olutta ½ can of lager
¾ dl vettä ¼ cup water
¼ lihaliemikuutio ¼ beef stock cube
75 g pekonia ¼ lb. bacon
1 rkl voita 1 Tbsp butter
½ tl suolaa ½ tsp salt
¼ tl mustapippuria ¼ tsp black pepper
Directions
Prepare! Reindeer is typically purchased frozen and pre-sliced. Leave in fridge overnight to thaw.
Chop the onion and bacon. Drink half of the beer.
Cook the bacon until crispy. Add onion and butter to the cooked bacon. Cook until until onion softens.
Add the thinly sliced reindeer meat. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until fully cooked and then saute a bit more until almost all liquid has evaporated.
Add bay leaves, allspice, and beef stock cube. Stir. Finally, add the water and beer. The meat should be just covered by liquids. Bring to a boil.
Cover and transfer to the oven at 230 F or 110 C for 1 hour. The pot can also be left on the stove to simmer for an hour or so, I prefer the oven.
Serve with mashed potatoes and pickles. Top with lingonberries. This is a must!
Hyvää ruokahalua! Good Appetite!
Resources:
I made this today but subbed beef stew meat for the reindeer (which is sadly unavailable at my local supermarket). It was so rich and flavorful! I'll definitely make it again (and again and again)! The mashed potatoes are a must to soak up all the delicious juices.
P.S. Please mail me some reindeers.