mustamakkara

{{Short description|Finnish blood sausage}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Infobox food

| name = Mustamakkara

| name_lang = fi

| name_italics = true

| image = Mustamakkara1.jpg

| caption = {{Lang|fi|Mustamakkara}} with lingonberry jam

| alternate_name = {{Lang|fi|Kuuma sian verimakkara}} (until the 1980s){{Cite web |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-6718539 |title=Verinen perinneherkku pitää pintansa Pirkanmaalla |last=Sirén |first=Anna |date=4 July 2013 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi |access-date=11 October 2023}}

| country = Finland

| region = Pirkanmaa

| national_cuisine =

| type = Sausage

| course =

| served =

| main_ingredient = Pork, pig blood, crushed rye and flour

| minor_ingredient =

| variations =

| serving_size =

| calories =

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}}

File:Mustamakkara Meal.jpg, and a doughnut]]

{{Lang|fi|Mustamakkara}} ({{IPA|fi|ˈmustɑmɑkːɑrɑ|-}}, {{literal translation|black sausage}}) is a type of Finnish blood sausage traditionally eaten with lingonberry jam. It is available in many stores across Finland, but is considered a specialty of Tampere. {{Lang|fi|Mustamakkara}} is at its best when bought and eaten fresh at market stalls, to which it is delivered in styrofoam boxes straight from the factories, still piping hot. A typical practice of reheating the sausage is to fry it in a pan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviisi.fi/2017/02/matka-mustan-ytimeen-oikeasti-morkopotko/|title=Matka mustan ytimeen – Kuka oikeasti olet, mörköpötkö?|date=2017-02-10|website=Aviisi|language=fi|access-date=2018-12-09}}

{{Lang|fi|Mustamakkara}} is known to have been eaten as early as the 17th century and was generally cooked over a small fire, in a hot cauldron, or in an oven. {{Lang|fi|Mustamakkara}} is made by mixing ground pork, pig blood, crushed rye and flour, after which it is stuffed into a casing of intestine. The two major producers of this food are Tapola{{Cite web|title=Mustamakkara {{!}}|url=https://www.tapola.fi/tuotteet/tapolan-mustamakkara/mustamakkara/|access-date=2021-11-03|website=www.tapola.fi}} and Savupojat.

When buying {{Lang|fi|mustamakkara}} in the Tampere region, it is customary to specify the monetary amount's worth of sausage one wishes to buy instead of the weight, length or quantity, e.g. "Five euros' worth of black sausage, please". Often people simply point at their preferred piece. The shape and moisture content of {{Lang|fi|mustamakkara}} varies, and this method allows the buyer to get their preferred piece. An entire sausage can be ordered by requesting a "round trip", {{Lang|fi|menopaluu}}, which refers to the sausage's U-shape.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aamulehti.fi/a/23728985|title="Vitosella mustaa" sai väistyä – Mustaamakkaraa tilataan nyt uusilla kokomerkinnöillä|last=|first=|date=2016-06-17|website=www.aamulehti.fi|language=fi|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-12-09}} A traditional location for enjoying {{Lang|fi|mustamakkara}} is Tammelantori square in the district of Tammela.

On his show, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain praised {{Lang|fi|mustamakkara}}, calling it "Good stuff!"[https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihde/a/2012011215067944 AL: Julkkiskokki ahmaisi puoli kiloa mustaamakkaraa] (in Finnish)[https://www.is.fi/tv-ja-elokuvat/art-2000005713014.html "IS: Anthony Bourdain rakastui Suomen vierailullaan mielipiteitä jakavaan perinneruokaan: 'Good stuff!{{'"}}] (in Finnish) {{Lang|fi|Mustamakkara}} is generally considered to be an acquired taste in Finland.