Tradition with a Twist: Not So Swedish, Swedish Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs Glazed with Mulled Cider with Cranberries Jam
Christmas Eve has always been one of my all time favorite holidays. My aunts, uncles, cousins and friends would get together for a Swedish-American smorgasbord consisting of traditional Swedish sausage (Korv) which my mother made, Swedish meatballs, Rice Pudding which Nana always made along with her “green jello salad,” turkey, ham, potatoes and many other delicious foods. We had all kinds of Christmas cookies with ice cream for dessert. My favorite is the Spritz, a Swedish almond butter cookie. (Mom would make them early and freeze them, but I would sneak some from the tins in the freezer. Ssh!) We would then play a game of Yankee Swap and sometimes other games before exchanging grabs and gifts.
Both my mother’s and my father’s families came from the southern tip of Sweden. Some were farmers, others fishermen, and “Sill” or pickled herring was a favorite appetizer. I learned to love sill as a young child. It was a special treat reserved for Christmas, and Dad would sneak some after we were all in bed. I would hear the sound of the jar being opened and come downstairs. I figured if he had to be so sneaky it must be good. It honestly doesn’t look very appealing - raw fish - but it really is delicious if you like things that are pickled. It wasn’t until years later that I learned my mother and my Aunt Lee would never eat it. They conveniently excused themselves to “serve dinner” just as it was being passed around. Who knew! We thought they were just being gracious hostesses! The truth always comes out! ;)
“Green Jello Salad”
The “green jello salad” is also a favorite though not necessarily Swedish, and one year it was my turn to bring it for Christmas Eve. (It is actually lime jello salad, but as kids we always called it the green jello salad.) By this time my husband and I had three sons and just getting everything together and out the door on time was quite a feat. So, it wasn’t until we were at Mom and Dad’s unloading the car and bringing in the food and gifts that I realized I forgot to bring the green jello! I thought my brother Eric would never forgive me! Of course he did, but I still have not heard the end of it and still am not allowed to bring the green jello to this day.
So, last year my sister, Margie, called me. “Hey, Rudie, you have to try this!” She was making Swedish meatballs for a get together and realized at the last minute that she had no gravy! So thinking fast she grabbed a jar of my Mulled Cider with Cranberries jam, warmed it up in a saucepan and poured it over the meatballs. She took it to the party and said the reaction was incredible. She said everyone loved them and ate them all! There were no leftovers. So I had to try it, and I have to say she is right. They are very tasty! If you’ve not tried it yet, it is a nice modification of the traditional Swedish meatballs. It also works with the Spiced Cranberry Apple jam.
This year with Covid things will be different, but I’m sure we’ll all manage to find a way to celebrate with family whether in person, on the phone or even with FaceTime. Times may have changed, but the love we have for our families and the message of Christmas hasn’t changed.
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” True peace can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. May you find true peace in Him. John 3:16 May you have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season!