kräft=crayfish
In Sweden, eating crayfish is a BIG deal. Who would've guessed? Eating crayfish is a yearly tradition typical for August* when the crayfish are in season (although these days frozen ones are available year-around - but that's not as fun, right?).
The typical kräftskiva, or crayfish party, includes buckets of crayfish (see above), snaps (also above), newspaper hats (see below - not sure how necessary these are), and lots of singing. We actually had song sheets with both Swedish and English drinking songs, which our merry gang sang with great vigor, although slightly less harmony.
The entire meal reminded me of the Chesapeake Bay crab feasts I know so well from home. Picking meat out of the tiny cavities of crustaceans and drinking lots of beer/snaps. It is a time-consuming endeavor, but well worth the effort.
And this, all thanks to Greta & Magnus for hosting in their cozy country cabin on Ljusterö, an island just north of Stockholm. Tack så mycket!!
*You're right, this post is, once again, slightly belated. This wonderful celebration actually took place on September 1.
Katie, Looks like great fun!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you will bring a song sheet home so we can sing during a crab feast. Are the crayfish from Swedish waters? Where? How are they cooked? Swedish Old Bay? What is the most authentic technique when eating the kraft? How are they caught? Crab traps or trot lines?