Festive food is one of the best bits of Christmas. With the holidays finally here, why not try something different and explore the delights of Scandinavian cuisine? Check out our recommendations below for some inspiration on what to eat and drink when you visit these Nordic countries.
Sweden
First up, we’ve got Jansson’s frestelse, meaning Jansson’s temptation, a rich creamy potato and fish casserole. A common misconception in British recipes is to translate the Swedish word ansjovis as anchovies, when in fact the word means sprat, another small fish, but nowhere near as salty! For a sweet treat we’d go for a Lussekatter, a saffron bun, traditionally eaten on the 13th of December but too good not to be enjoyed throughout the holiday season. A type of sweet roll packed with dried fruit, this is a rich treat that you’ll usually find in a reversed S-shape.
Norway
In Norway, there are two main contenders for Christmas dinner; pork or lamb rib, with most families preparing both for their festive feasts. The pork rib is characterised by its crackling-like rind, while the lamb is traditionally boiled over birch twigs, hence the name Pinnekjøt, meaning stick meat. To drink, we’d try a local aquavit, a spicy Nordic potato liquor. Like vodka, this tipple can be flavoured with many different profiles, mainly with caraway, fennel, coriander, citrus or anise. Perfect for cleansing your palate after overindulging.
Denmark
Here we’d make straight for aebleskiver, spherical doughnuts, somewhere between a pancake and a Yorkshire pudding. Normally served with icing sugar and jam, they’re fantastic to snack on as you walk around a cosy Christmas market. To drink, grab a glass of Juleøl. This dark and strong Christmas beer is flavoured with a range of spices including cinnamon, orange peel and cloves. If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic, you can join the festivities with a glass of Julebrus, a red soda drink with an extremely creamy taste. Cheers! Or, as they say in Denmark “Hej”!
Finland
The home of Lapland and Father Christmas. After exploring the bustling streets or natural wonders, there’s some delicious Finnish food to choose from. King of the Finnish Christmas meal is the slow-baked ham, cooked with a crust of breadcrumbs, brown sugar and Finnish mustard. For dessert, a Finnish favourite is Joulutorttu, pastries filled with spiced plum or prune jam. These windmill-shaped treats are a traditional staple.
So, whether you feast on a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner or cheer the festive period with a glass of Danish Juleøl, sign-up and book your holiday with Tripbeat. The online destination with unbeatable rates for all your travel needs.
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