We are moving towards the end of August.
As the Swedish summer draws to a close, you
may be lucky enough to experience warm, clear August nights that are almost
Mediterranean in character.
That’s when Swedes have their crayfish
parties.
Friends gather around a table set outdoors with bright red
crayfish, bread, cheese, shrimps and various pies. And as the sun sets slowly,
candles are lit and paper lanterns glow in the increasing darkness. Everyone is
wearing paper hats and bibs, signing merry songs to accompany the snaps.
In the 1800s, lakes in Sweden were full of crayfish.
High-class restaurant in Europe imported and served the exotic delicacy. In
order to protect crayfish populations the fishing season was limited to August
and September.
That is why Swedish crayfish parties, today, are still
traditionally held during August.
Swedish crayfish – needless to say – are
always adjudged the best. The trouble is, they are very expensive. Whatever the
origin, crayfish in Sweden are cooked as the Swedes like them – in a brine,
with plenty of crown dill.
The crayfish feast , at which people gather
to eat, drink and be merry, is a typically Swedish festivity marking the end of
the summer.
Let the parties begin!
