Preserved foods are a staple in the Scandinavian diet. Prior to modern techniques, in order to survive the long winter months, food had to be dried and stored. The practice dates back to the Vikings who caught and dried cod fish to take with them on their voyages. Other popular preserved foods include dried fruits and jams, pickled fish and fermented milk.

The term Smörgåsbord (meaning bread and butter table) has become famous throughout the world, representing a collection of different foods served all at once. Popular at lunch, in Denmark, open faced sandwiches are made and eaten with a knife and a fork. Buttered bread is topped with items such as, sausage; herring; smoked salmon; boiled potatoes; cheese and tomatoes. Other items that may be found on a traditional smörgåsbord; include, smoked eel; roasted jellied fish and köttbulla (Swedish meatballs).

Pepparkakor

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces butter

  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar

  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

  • 1 egg

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 2 teaspoons ground cloves

  • 1/4 cup orange juice

  • 2 teaspoons orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in egg, corn syrup, orange juice, and orange zest. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; stir into the creamed mixture until combined.

Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies on wire racks.

Finnish Summer Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water

  • 5 small potatoes, peeled and halved

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 6 cups green onions, cut into 3 inch lengths

  • 12 baby carrots

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths

  • 2 cups fresh shelled green peas

  • 2 cups half-and-half

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

Heat water to boiling in a medium pot; add potatoes. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Add salt, pepper, butter, onions, carrots and green beans; simmer until tender then add peas.

In a small bowl, stir together half-and-half and flour until smooth; stir into the simmering vegetables. Cook, stirring constantly until the soup is slightly thickened. Serve immediately

 

 

Copenhagen is the largest city of Denmark and also its capital. Established in the tenth century as a fishing village and harbor, it was named the capital of Denmark in the fifteenth century. The original name for the city was Kopmannaehafn, meaning "merchant's harbor." Copenhagen is located on the eastern shore of the island of Zealand as well as partially on the island of Amager. Its harbor faces Oresund, the waterway that separates Denmark from Sweden. Denmark is rich in culture, design, architecture and progressive in its environmental policies. Denmark is the oldest constitutional monarchy in Scandinavia.
C is also for Crayfish Party. In Sweden it's popular to hold a crayfish party in August. Crayfish are often served cold and with dill seasoning, and the parties are a festive event held outdoors with paper lanterns and decorations.

scroll up more scroll down