A number of iconic images spring to mind when Swedish cuisine is mentioned, none of which are likely to be vegan however. From a cuisine that is rich in meat, seafood, dairy and eggs; we’re delighted to have a vegan guest blogger sharing her veganized versions of some Swedish classics. Sweden based Australian food blogger, healthy home cook and mother of two Miss Marzipan has put her spin on three Swedish classics to share with us today. These recipes are a special tribute to her newly vegan Swedish husband who was raised on those iconic Swedish köttbullar before transitioning to vegan in 2014.
We’re excited to have her join us with her recipes and stunning photos for Swedish (No)Meatballs, Sugar-Free Lingonberry Jam and Creamed Kale Mashed Potatoes.
Hej from Sweden, all!
What a pleasure and privilege it is to be here, featured alongside some truly inspirational vegan foodie guest posts and Rika’s fabulous work, which I first came across via Instagram just a few short months ago!
Having been raised in England and Australia, Swedish meatballs were definitely not part of my culinary land(table)scape, growing up. I have, however, called Stockholm my home for almost 11 years now, and the infamous Swedish meatball is as ubiquitous here as a non-Swede might well imagine it to be.
So what does one do when ones meatball-loving husband decides to go vegan overnight? Get creative in the kitchen and “veganise” the heck out of this Swedish classic!
Famously, Sweden has a long tradition of meat, seafood and dairy-rich cuisine. Its inhabitants, however, seem to be increasingly more interested in plant-based eating. My newly-vegan husband– who was raised on köttbullar (Swedish meatballs), sill (pickled herring) & kilos of cheese– is a testament to this trend.
On our first study “date” during our university days in Australia, my future husband attempted to woo me by offering me a midnight feast in the kitchen of his student share house. The only problem was the fact that all he had on hand was slices of plastic-y processed cheese, a packet of Black & Gold generic supermarket brand frozen hamburgers (the cheapest money could buy) and, I recall, a handful of Jatz crackers. Not even bread. Basically, it was my absolute nightmare “meal”! I forgave him this major flaw and, 13 years and 2 kids later, we remain happily together… and eating a far better diet!
Last Christmas, I set out to make not only vegan (no)meatballs, but the classic accompaniment of lingonberry jam too (to complicate matters, I had my heart set on a sugar-free version). And then, of course, I had to mess with the mashed potato too, by adding my new favourite leafy green, kale, to the mix. After all, the only thing that can improve on vegetables is adding more vegetables, right? On that note, feel free to add slices of pickled cucumber (another traditional accompaniment) to your plate!
These recipes may be far removed their original, traditional counterparts in some respects, however I do hope they will evoke the warmth and heartiness of classic husmanskost (homemade “everyday” food) and the Swedish kitchen.
Smaklig måltid!
Amalgamating some of the traditional flavours of Swedish köttbullar with entirely non-traditional, plant-based ingredients, these (no)meatballs are a tasty vegan spin on a classic dish.
Yield: approximately 20 (no)meatballs
Ingredients:
2 organic eggplants
1 tbsp olive oil for baking eggplants
3-4 slices of sourdough bread
60- 75 ml of non-dairy cream (I used Oatly’s iMat)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ a white onion, grated
1 small organic carrot, grated
2 tbsp organic plain flour (a touch more, if needed)
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp organic powdered vegetable stock
1-2 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Salt and black pepper for seasoning to taste
Chickpea flour for coating (approximately 150 ml)
Olive oil/oil of choice for frying (at least 3 tbsp)
Directions:
These (no)meatballs will keep covered in the fridge for at least 3 days and can be made in advance, frozen and defrosted, before heating and serving.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and gluten-free flour.
I invented this recipe to accompany the (no)meatballs we brought as our contribution to the family julbord (“Christmas table”) last year. I thought I was rather clever in making it sugar-free, unaware that before the use of refined sugar became the norm in Sweden, lingonberry jam was traditionally prepared solely with lingonberries. So I suppose (I haven’t checked!) my unique spin on this condiment is actually the addition of clementine; another Swedish flavour favourite.
Yield: approximately 80 ml (or ⅓ of a cup)
Ingredients:
150 ml frozen organic lingonberries
2 tsp clementine juice (the juice squeezed from 2 clementine segments)
¼ tsp clementine zest, finely grated
Directions:
This jam will keep covered in the fridge for at least 3 days and can be made in advance, frozen and defrosted at room temperature before serving.
In a pinch, lingonberries could be replaced with cranberries and clementine with orange.
A green and vegan version of a classic veggie side, originally thrown together on the fly, in celebration of the discovery that my local supermarket had started stocking kale (my favourite leafy green)!
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
900 g floury potatoes (Désirée/King Edward/Maris Piper/Russet/Yukon Gold, etc), peeled and quartered
1 clove garlic
3-4 kale leaves
4 tbsp Earth Balance (or similar vegan spread of choice)
2-4 tbsp almond (or oat) milk, to reach desired consistency
Salt and pepper to season
Directions:
Find Miss Marzipan on Facebook Instagram Pinterest.