These are the most basic essentials for any midsummer celebration anywhere. Of course you can also have a lot of other things but you cannot do without these.
1. "Matjessill"
"Matjes herring" is a prepared form of herring stored in a barrel before it is cleaned and packed in preserve with a special seasoning, comprising among other things, sugar, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Often sandalwood is included in the seasoning.
(Please note that the Swedish matjes is not the same as the one sold in Germany or Holland. It is not as sharp in the taste and tastes more of the spices.)
2. "Färskpotatis"
Early potatoes, preferably the smaller ones, boiled with lots of dill.
3. "Gräddfil"
Sour creme.
4. "Gräslök"
Chives, chopped in about 1 centimeter long pieces
5. "Snaps"
Small glasses of spirits, usually "brännvin" or vodka but any "akvavit" will do, usually served very well chilled with your meal.
Most often you sing drinking songs before you imbibe.
After finishing the song shout "Skål" at the top of your voice and then look all the other guests straight in the eyes - starting with the lady to your right - and give each of them a small nod and a big smile.
Finally you can drink your "snaps"! Make sure to swallow all that is in the glass in one gulp. It is not considered polite to "bite off" the snaps, if you aren't a woman or a sissy boy.
6. "Midsommarkrans"
Wear a garland on your head, preferably one you made yourself.
Optional but classy "Jordgubbar"
Strawberries served with or without cream and sugar.
Have a wonderful Midsummer!
1. "Matjessill""Matjes herring" is a prepared form of herring stored in a barrel before it is cleaned and packed in preserve with a special seasoning, comprising among other things, sugar, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Often sandalwood is included in the seasoning.
(Please note that the Swedish matjes is not the same as the one sold in Germany or Holland. It is not as sharp in the taste and tastes more of the spices.)
Early potatoes, preferably the smaller ones, boiled with lots of dill.
Sour creme.
Chives, chopped in about 1 centimeter long pieces
Small glasses of spirits, usually "brännvin" or vodka but any "akvavit" will do, usually served very well chilled with your meal.
Most often you sing drinking songs before you imbibe.
After finishing the song shout "Skål" at the top of your voice and then look all the other guests straight in the eyes - starting with the lady to your right - and give each of them a small nod and a big smile.
Finally you can drink your "snaps"! Make sure to swallow all that is in the glass in one gulp. It is not considered polite to "bite off" the snaps, if you aren't a woman or a sissy boy.
Wear a garland on your head, preferably one you made yourself.
Strawberries served with or without cream and sugar.
Have a wonderful Midsummer!
You for got the cool mix drinks of Sex on the Beach and White Russians, a Keg of Guinness and BBQ meats hehe. However, I love your picks too :)
ReplyDelete-Agree! 100% :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Midsummer you too buddy!!
ReplyDeleteWell InsyX, the things you mention are possible add ons, but not essential.
ReplyDeleteWith the six ingredients people will be happy and pleased they came to your midsummer party and come again next year. Without any of the six it´s just any summer party - and your guests will grumble about it for years later.
They may possibly not come if you invite them the next year. If they are really, really, close they might very likely ask "can I bring this or that along myself", but most likely they will instead make their excuses and go to a real midsummers party.
The best thing for you to do after committing such a heinous crime would be to never throw a midsummer party and invite a Swede, have a summer a summer party on any other summers day instead...
Happy mid-summer from someone 'enjoying' mid-winter!
ReplyDeleteIs it compulsory to eat the Matjessill? It's just that I'm allergic to fish...
happy to double up on the Snapps though ;)
Well Sarco, you are in luck! Allergies and intolerance towards a food is the only acceptable excuse not to eat it ;)
ReplyDeleteAhhh winter,what is that? I seemed to block that right out of my mind at this time... ;)
Good guide how to eat your way through a Swedish Midsummer's eve.
ReplyDeleteDetail: whipped cream or as some old folks want it "kaffegrädde", cream with only about 10% fat, with strawberries floating.
Have a great Midsummers's eve, St. Hans or St. Johannes or whatever you celebrate this weekend!
heheh actually my hubby has learned the style of great BBQ and most of my bud are the same from growing up to college. They learned in their own times that I was gay and going with my guy for over 10.5 years. One of the things they love about Danny is his style on the BBQ and Kitchen. He has a way with BBQ like he commands it lol. I'm picky on it but literally if you have him on the grill and good alcohol and then boom you have the most amazing back yard party and feast ever known to man lol.
ReplyDeleteBut as my buds say...We must have a keg of Guinness and flat screen with a good game on to be complete LOL.
trevlig midsommar bock buddy:)
ReplyDeletewe will have chicken instead of herring and creme fraiche instead of sour creme (but with dill and chives chopped in) strawberries of course with whipped cream and chocolate cake (just cos we can)no snaps but we have wine:)hugs
Thanks for the additional tip, Erestor!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you caught a good "fish" there Insyx, hold on to him and keep him safe! A man that can cook or BBQ and kiss well is a keeper!
You are heretics, Vampi & sirhc, but I love you anyway! ;)
Yup and Danny is not going anywhere. (takes out the key to his locks lol) HUGS!!
ReplyDelete