La Swedish culinary culture offers a buffet of sandwiches that are served as appetizers on certain dates of the year, such as Santa Lucia or Christmas. These foods are enjoyed in a bite or two among the guests. Among the most popular we have:
Sandwiches
Swedes enjoy sandwiches as a snack or a small meal during the day. Serve a variety of hot and cold snacks, cut into small pieces for your guests.
Smoked salmon and cream cheese or cream cheese or butter spread sandwiches with jams or bread preserves are popular. For a warmer option, a grilled cheese sandwich with dill is offered. For the more adventurous eaters, pickled herring sandwiches are a must.
Once you have filled all your sandwiches, they have to be cut into small squares. A cookie cutter is used to cut the sandwiches into small shapes, such as hearts or trees. For something a little smaller, use crackers or small pieces of toast and top with salmon, herring, or cheese.
Potatoes
Potatoes are served in small or individual portions. You buy small potatoes, cook them and roast them lightly, then cut them in half and take out the half. Then fill the small potato cups with sour cream, dill, and cheese. For another potato dish, either make potato pancakes or the thinner version, lefse. Lefse is a traditional Swedish and Norwegian snack. Butter each round of lefse and sprinkle with white or brown sugar.
Meatballs
Swedish meatballs are a classic dish. Although it is sometimes served over egg noodles, ground beef or chicken meatballs can also be served as a snack. When their meatballs are forming, before cooking, they make them rather small, an inch or less in diameter.
It is then cooked in a pan until golden brown and cooked. Serve hot, with toothpicks on the side, so guests can pick each one individually. You can also serve a hot sauce on the side, for customers to dip their meatballs or spoon into small plates.