Swedish delicacies - 15 luxurious flavours from Sweden

What are Swedish delicacies? When we talk about Swedish food, most people think of rustic home cooking, such as meatballs, cabbage rolls and pitepalt. Home cooking is all well and good, but there are some luxurious Swedish delicacies too ...

Swedish delicacies

So, what do we think of when we talk about Swedish delicacies? We think mainly of the more exclusive ingredients and dishes that you might eat at a festive meal or serve in a Swedish or Nordic restaurant. We think of food that is typically Swedish, although sometimes this can mean that the food is also typical of our neighbouring countries, as ingredients and dishes rarely follow national borders.

What we want to say above all is that in Sweden, and in the northern parts of Europe, we have many delicacies that are worth being proud of - and perhaps offering to our foreign guests. In other words, Swedish food is more than rustic home cooking.

1. prawns

Is there anything as good as Smögen prawns? All in all, it's great to feast on seafood along the coast in Bohuslän. As well as prawns, you can browse other goodies such as lobster, crab, crayfish, mussels and oysters. Yum!

2. Swedish crayfish

Crayfish are found in many parts of the world, but Swedish crayfish are something special. Above all, we have special traditions around eating them, which of course makes it all the more special.

3. grilled salmon

Gravad salmon is a Nordic dish made by leaving raw salmon in a mixture of salt and sugar for a few days. The dish has a long history in the Nordic region and is often served today as a luxurious starter, or as one of many dishes on a festive smorgasbord. The dish may also be served abroad as "Swedish dill-cured salmon".

4. Pollock and whitefish roe

What could be more luxurious than vendace roe and whitefish roe? These delicacies are of course found in many parts of the world, but also here in the Nordic region. For example, it is possible to enjoy Kalix vendace roe from Kalix in Norrbotten, an exclusive vendace roe from vendace fished in the Gulf of Bothnia.

5. Scrambled eggs

Skagenröra is a luxurious mix that includes shrimp, mayonnaise and dill. Although the name refers to the Danish town of Skagen, it was created by Swedish chef Tore Wretman in connection with the 'Toast Skagen'. The delicacy is often served on toasted white bread, in a mould. crustaceans, with avocado or with baked potatoes.

6. Västerbotten cheese

When we talk about Swedish delicacies, we can't forget västerbottensost. The recipe was created by chance in 1872 and is now kept secret by the manufacturers. The cheese is made by Norrmejerier, at their small dairy in the town of Burträsk, south-west of Stockholm. Skellefteå. Good as it is, but also very popular in västerbotten pie.

7. reindeer meat

Reindeer meat has a mild gamey flavour and can seem very exotic to anyone who doesn't live in a country with a reindeer. reindeer. Traditional ways of preparing it are in the form of reindeer caviar or souvas, i.e. various forms of salted and lightly smoked reindeer meat. Of course, the meat can also be prepared in many other ways.

8. Moose meat

Sweden is the most moose-dense country in the world and many tourists, not least German ones, hope to experience moose in one way or another in Sweden. Eating moose meat can be perceived by many as very exotic, but at the same time it can be very tasty.

9. chanterelles

The chanterelle is a delicious mushroom that grows wild everywhere in almost all of Sweden. Although the mushroom of course grows in many other countries as well, it has steadily declined in many European countries. Really luxurious on a sandwich, in soup or as an accompaniment to a main course.

10. lingonberry

Lingonberries grow in many parts of Europe, and are particularly popular here in the Nordic countries, where we also have the opportunity to pick our own in the forests in accordance with the right of public access. Raw lingonberries or lingonberry jam are a good accompaniment to home cooking, but also to various desserts.

11. Cloudberry

Cloudberries are sometimes called the gold of the forestand is a real delicacy that can be found in nature. Cloudberry jam, whether homemade or purchased, is an exclusive and popular accompaniment to many different desserts.

12. Gooseberries

Gooseberries are found in the northern parts of Sweden and are an expensive delicacy. Jam or marmalade made from field berries has a very good flavour, with character, and can be used in cheese or desserts.

13. aquavit

Akvavit is a spiced spirit flavoured with at least one of the spices cumin and dill. Akvavit can be found in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and in Sweden brands such as O.P. Andersson, Herrgårds Aquavit and Skåne Akvavit dominate.

14. elderflower juice

Elderberry grows naturally in Europe and Siberia, among other places. In Sweden there is a tradition of making elderflower juice from white elderberry clusters. Very tasty!

15. Strawberry cake with Swedish strawberries

Sure, you can probably get strawberry cake here and there in the world, but it doesn't look exactly like a Swedish strawberry cake, and there are hardly any Swedish strawberries on it. A perfect ending to a luxurious dinner with Swedish delicacies.

More tips on Swedish delicacies?

Do you have more tips on Swedish delicacies? What comes to mind when you think of luxurious Swedish food? What would you like to offer foreign guests, if you want to offer something domestic and really luxurious?