Swedish National Day Smörgåsbord

Yesterday was Swedish National Day, sort of like a second cousin to America’s 4th of July; joyful but subdued. Many Swedes dress in their national or folk costumes (folkdräkter), perhaps attend a parade or local event. At ASI we celebrated with cocktails, herring and cheese on the veranda, lots of great music, and the final smörgåsbord of the season. 

The first course of a typical smörgåsbord, a.k.a. herring and gravlax table, is what I call the big ticket portion of the meal and holds all of my favorites.  I don’t typically graze past the cold items served there and at the second course: sill (herring) pickled in wine or herbs or something even more heavenly, gravlax (cured salmon) with mustard dill sauce, ostar (cheeses), gurkor (cucumbers) quick pickled or in a cream sauce, salad, boiled potatoes with parsley, boiled eggs with sardines (Scandinavian sardines are sweeter and much less salty than what might swim atop your pizza in these parts) or räkor (shrimps) and whipped cream, all eaten alongside or on buttered knäckebröd (crispbread or rye crackers).

First Course

Second Course

There is an established order and etiquette to the smörgåsbord. Diners progress from each course to the next, using a clean plate each time. It is considered bad form to load food on to plates, but returning to the buffet for additional servings is considered appropriate.  Following the cold fish course are salads, more cheese and pickled items, and cold cuts.  The third course includes hot dishes such as meatballs, Janssens Temptation, roasts, with meats accompanied by lingonberries and other preserved fruits and pickled veggies. Dessert and coffee complete the feast.  At a proper smörgåsbord diners enjoy aquavit and beer throughout the meal.

Anna Lena, ASI’s caterer, created a melon salad yesterday that has me thinking about summer experimentation. Wild greens, cantaloupe and honeydew, and gravlax done up in a honey-sweetened nectar will be a refreshing and surprising addition to our next dinner party or potluck.