Showing posts with label crayfish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crayfish. Show all posts

Monday, September 1, 2014

It's that red crustacean-eating, hat-wearing, song-singing time of year again

If you're thinking Maryland blue crabs, you're close. It's Sweden's version of a crab feast: crayfish! They're messy and delicious. Dill instead of Old Bay, snaps instead of beer... or maybe both. And singing, of course! 

Saturday night's tunes ranged from the traditional crayfish party melodies to Pocahontas' Colors of the Wind. Why not? 

snaps drinking in action

If there's one thing that makes the end of a Swedish summer bearable, I'd have to say it's a crayfish party, or kräftskiva in Swedish. The days are still long and there's still time for a cocktail on the terrace before heading inside for the main event.


The main event involves tiny tongs and knives to crack the red shell and dig deep into the crayfish's small crevices. But it's really all about the tail, which has a big chunk of meat waiting to be inhaled. Be prepared to get covered in smelly crayfish juices and maybe get a few cuts on your fingers in the process - a small price for such a delicious delicacy. 

Our evening continued with charades (thanks MMD!) and more wine and later on, me slipping away for a cat nap in the early hours of the morning. 

A wonderful evening to end a gorgeous Swedish summer...

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Kräftskiva i Ljusterö!

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.