'Makkarra', or sausages, which for instance can be cooked on the hot stones in the sauna are very popular in Finland. Nakkimakkara or literary knock-sausage is popular and pretty much the same as wiener-sausage or frankfurter.
Sausage in natural casing, especially suitable for barbecuing/grilling. Regular barbecue sausages are mainly made with pork, but also a variety of other meats may be used, like chicken, reindeer, salmon,etc. Besides using various meats, the sausage meat may be flavoured with different spices, herbs, peppers, cheese, etc. Nowadays also vegetarian "sausages" are available for grilling. Barbecue sausages are popular "junk food" in Finland, especially in summertime when outdoor grilling is widely practised.
After a sauna session, there’s a customary light meal of sausages (like the one shown on this card sent by Merja), beer and soft drinks, or coffee and pastries. Tourists might gain a deep understanding of how integral, even holy, the sauna experience is to Finns, whose humour and easy-going charm practically guarantee a fun evening.
