Lutheranism is the prime religion across Sweden and the majority of the population belong to the Church of Sweden. Although, everyday cooking in Sweden is fairly simple, elaborate dishes are served on holidays and festivals. The Christian holiday of Christmas (Jul) is widely celebrated in Sweden. The biggest celebration of the year takes place on the Eve of Christmas. A juicy ham with creamy dipping sauce and Julgröt, a porridge similar to rice pudding, are often served as the main dish. After a complete month of dining on ginger cookies, cardamom (a type of spice) breads, and egg coffee, Saint Knut’s Day concludes the Christmas season.
The Swedes dine on conventional foods that are distinctive to the Easter season. Salmon or Halibut are the typical holiday meal of choice on Good Friday, with chief dish on Easter Sunday being lamb and hard-boiled eggs, often granished with designs and food coloring. Shrove Tuesday is the final day before Lent, which is noticed by eating Semlor (a cream and almond filled bun that soaks in a bowl of warm milk).
The Feast of Valborg (also known as Walpurgis Night, April 30) and the summer solstice (Midsummer Day) are two of the very important worldly holidays in Sweden. Both days commemorate the blessings of the sun and are celebrated by eating potatoes and fresh strawberries with whipped cream.
Swedish Foods
For Celebration
by Shubhavi Arya