May 1 is called Vappu in Finnish, celebrated by students and workers, with the workers' red flags creating bright splashes of color among the students' white capes and balloons.

This is the occasion for sima (a drink made with lemon and brown sugar) or a local sparkling libation made from white currants or gooseberries, and for Vappu doughnuts, known as tippaleipä, lacy fried dough sprinkled with sugar and served with mead... or perhaps herring with iced schnapps, enjoyed until the wee hours of the morning.

1. combine the eggs and sugar without whisking; blend in the other ingredients;
2. pour the batter into a paper cone or piping bag;
3. squeeze it out into thin ribbons directly into hot oil, using a spiral motion to create little nests or rings;
4. when the doughnuts are golden brown, remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels;
5. sprinkle with icing sugar.