What Is Swedish Comfort Food?

Swedish meatballs can be purchased in U.S. restaurants.

Swedish comfort food reflects the tradition of preserving food for harsh winters. Common ingredients include seafood, beef, pork, potatoes and root vegetables. Modern Swedish comfort food blends old traditions with modern cooking techniques.

History

Early Swedish inhabitants, also known as Vikings, developed food preservation methods such as salting, dehydrating and curing to maintain food supplies during long winters. Over time, the Vikings adapted culinary traditions from countries such as France into their own, resulting in modern-day Swedish comfort food.

Types

Sillgratin, a common Swedish dish, can be made with herring and potatoes. Janssons frestelse, a layered casserole, includes ingredients such as potatoes, onions, cream and anchovies. Kottbullar, known as Swedish meatballs, can be made with beef or pork and served with thin or thick gravy.

Fun Fact

Husmanskost refers to Swedish home cooking. Smorgasbord, the most popular type of husmanskost, means "open sandwich table" or "bread and butter table." The smorgasbord features traditional Swedish comfort foods served buffet-style.

References

• Scandinavian Cooking: Herring
• Swedish Tourism: Food and Drink
• Official Gateway to Sweden: Swedish Culinary Classics