Saint Lucia and Christmas 2012: American and Swedish

Christmas is a time where families gather together, whether in Sweden or America. While Americans are known for having more Christian than the Swedes, Swedish culture (along with the other Nordic countries) dictates that before Christmas they must celebrate Saint Lucia Day, commonly called Lucia Day, on December 13th.

Saint Lucia Day has its origins in paganism, with the never ending Nordic battle of light versus dark. Today a young girl (Lucia) goes around with lights on her head (sometimes candles if they’re brave) while others follow behind her carrying a light in their hand (known as Luciatog [Lucia train]). You see dozens of Lucia’s around town, all singing songs.

You also typically eat lussekatt (saffron bun), pepparkaka (gingerbread), and  drink glögg (mulled wine).

 

Minnesota, USA

Comparing Christmas’, the snow looks the same.

Sweden

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trees can look different.

USA

 

 

Sweden

 

 

 

 

 

 

But in the end, we’re all just happy to be together, eating a delicious feast!

Surströmmingsskiva 2013 Uppsala

Ever since I moved to Sweden I have heard about eating surströmming. Sweden is historically known for their fishing industry and not the least of which is their herring. Naturally, back in the day, they had to learn to preserve their food. So when herring is fermented, covered in salt, and canned up for periods of time, it turns into surströmming. Which isn’t the most horrible thing to eat, but the smell is something that only gets more potent by the minute and is an incredibly horrid thing to breath up your nostrils.       In fact in 2002, a Japanese study concluded that it was the worst smell among food. But people still insist on smelling it, despite the fact that the surströmming is placed far away from the table you’re eating at (look how many flies flock to this food: that can’t be a good thing). No wonder Swedes drink Schnapps and sing songs while eating this food.  

 

Surströmming starts being sold around the third Thursday of August and thereafter people host Surströmmingsskiva.

People from the northern parts of Sweden may eat it year round, while many urban Swedes have never tried it.

 

 

 

Some people love it, but when I tried it with my co-workers, there were five who had never eaten it and only three ate a whole sandwich.

 

 

 

You can eat surströmming by itself, but it’s usually served on flatbread with various toppings like potatoes, butter, sour cream/crème fraîche, and diced onions (and maybe tomatoes or dill).

 

 

 

To get a sense of the smell, you can view this youtube video (warning and spoiler alert, one of the guys does throw up):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vEl6Ey8Gdc Click here to see a more fun August holiday known as Kräftskiva.

Kräftskiva (Crayfish Party) in Uppsala 2013

Kräftskiva (Crayfish Party) is a Swedish holiday that’s celebrated in August. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it doesn’t have an assigned date, which means that you can spend your whole August going to various Kräftskiva feasts. But first you need to buy Kräftskiva supplies.

Kräftskiva involves making funny hats, eating food, and drinking schnapps while singing Swedish drinking songs.

The night is livened up by singings schnapps songs (Sweden is the only Nordic country with songs about schnapps).

The meals are lighter, in that you mainly eat Kräftskiva (crayfish) with a salad, cheese, bread, and potatoes…and dessert 🙂 You really have to work to open up the crayfish, and there’s just not a lot inside, sadly. But at least it tastes better than Sweden’s next holiday: eating surströmming. Click here to see what surströmming is all about.

Swedish Holidays: Fettisdagen (The Fat Tuesday)

Let’s be honest–most in the US know today as a normal day. The smarter than average worker knows that today is Lincoln’s Birthday, and rarer yet, that it’s Mardi Gras Carnival, known to some as Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day in the UK) isn’t a major holiday (in fact, it’s not even at the same level as Ash Wednesday), but this holiday packs some carb calories.

This is a holiday that will butter you up, literally, so you can make it through the fasting of Lent.

In Sweden, the concept is the same. Interestingly, Swedes typically eat pancakes as a type of snack/dessert (or possibly as dinner), often with whip cream and strawberries, but no syrup; but not on fettisdagen. On this day of caloric days, it’s all about the semlor (a bun with loads of almond(y) whip cream loaded on it), especially if dipped in warm milk!

Honestly, they taste ok. Nothing amazing, and not horrible (although I heard more Swedes say they dislike it than love it, but most just “enjoy” it, as opposed to love it).

 

 

However, the semlor packs a mere 442; that’s hard to compete with most US fast food joints, where Americans splurged several times a week (let alone having it as a last caloric meal). Such as eating a McFlurry, packed with 710 calories.

Sweden–you’ve been challenged–find a high caloric content food.

One of my personal favorites: Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae: 1660 calories! Oh so good!