During the 1940s, the people of Finland employed a remarkable range of strategies to secure food and drink amidst the hardships of the Second World War. Facing scarcity, Finns broadened their diets to include unconventional sources of sustenance. Reports indicate that squirrel, raven, and even the venomous *Vipera berus* – known as keresztes vipera in Hungarian – appeared on Finnish tables during this period. This demonstrates the extreme measures taken to avoid starvation. The resourcefulness of the population allowed them to overcome significant challenges related to food security. These practices highlight a period of extraordinary adaptation and survival for the inhabitants of Finland.