SWEDEN EASTER TRADITIONS

In Sweden, Easter is called påsk, (pask)

The celebrations in Sweden and the Scandinavian countries usually begins at Skärtorsdagen (Maundy or Holy Thursday) and continues at Långfredagen (Good friday) and Påskafton (Holy or Silent Saturday) and finnishes at sunday, which is known as påskdagen. Påskafton or 'Easter eve' is when most of the Swedes celebrates Easter, probably mostly because of the resemblances to Julafton, or christmas eve. At påskafton, children will have their easter-eggs or påskägg (paskagg), which contains candy and in some cases smaller gifts. The egg-opening is often preceded by a egg-hunt, where children have to search for their egg, which usually is hidden somewhere in their home.

Stories and tales of witchcraft are a part of the Nordic folk tradition. In the Scandinavian and Nordic countries, witches or in Swedish 'påskkärringar', fly between dymmelonsdag or Easter-wednesday and Easter Sunday, the time when Jesus is still lying in the Garden Tomb behind a sealed stone door. According to the traditon they fly to blåkulla, or 'blue hill'. The children which goes from house to house asking for candy is usually dressed up to resemble these witches or påskkärringar.

Food-wise, Easter is not as traditionally bound as for instance Christmas. A buffet-style smorgasbord or påskbuffé (paskbuffe) is often served, and as well as many other holidays in Scandinavia contains the traditional dishes like herring, salmon, meatballs, boiled potatoes and filled eggs. In addition to those dishes, many eat lamb in various forms. You may also find pies, breads, salads and additional egg-dishes.

The candy at easter is often specially designed for easter, with candy such as chocolate easter-bunnys, small chocolate eggs and similar. The beverages served together with the easter-food or påskmat (paskmat) usually is like christmas, beer, schnaps and påskmust (paskmust), with the latter exactly the same thing as julmust, which is served at christmas.

Swedish meatballs recipe. Meatballs from Sweden served with lingonberry-jam, gravy and potatoes. Classic swedish and scandinavian recipe.

Salmon: Gravad lax, or cured salmon recipe. Classic swedish and scandinavian recipe.

                            Easy-made Swedish potato salad recipe.

                          Perfect accompaniment for the summer barbecue.

Pickled herring recipe, Swedish inlagd sill.

Often served at midsummer, easter and christmas.

Swedish potatisgratäng, potatisgratang recipe. Potato gratin from Sweden the perfect company for roast lamb.

        Swedish roast easter lamb recipe, known in Sweden as Lammstek.

         Served with a Swedish potatisgratang, or potato gratin.