Swedish Christmas Recipes for Julskinka and Christmas Sausage
By Jen E Carter

A key element of Swedish Christmas celebrations is the food.

Christmas ham or Julskinka is traditionally served on Christmas Eve as part of the festivities. Often the dinner may be a smorgasbord which includes Christmas ham(julskinka), pickled herrings (sild), Christmas sausage (potatis korv), potato salad, pickled cabbage and a range of cooked meats.

As Christmas Eve is the time when Swedes celebrate Christmas and open their presents this is the most important meal of the holiday.

Christmas Sausage or Potatis Korv

Serves 8

• 2 pounds ground lean pork
• 2 pounds ground lean beef
• 6 medium raw potatoes, shredded
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped

1. Bring a stockpot of salted water to a simmer.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients well together. Form into rolls about 4 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Cut parchment paper into 6-inch lengths and wrap sausage well, tying both ends tightly with string. Place rolls into the simmering water.
3. Cook slowly for about 45 minutes. Remove sausages from water and let cool before unwrapping.

Serve piping hot on the Christmas table with Swedish mustard (senap).

Christmas Ham or Julskinka

Serves 8 to 14

• 1 lightly salted ham, 6–11 pounds
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons prepared Swedish mustard
• 3 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs
  1. Preheat oven to 250° F.
  2. Place the ham, rind up, on a rack in a roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham. Bake until the thermometer reads 165° F, approximately 4 to 5 hours. Remove roasting pan from oven and increase oven temperature to 450° F.
  3. Stir together the egg yolk, sugar, and mustard. Remove the ham’s rind and brush the top with the glaze mixture. Sprinkle bread crumbs over glaze mixture on ham. Return to oven and bake until the glaze has become golden brown, about 10 minutes.

  This can be prepared in advance, if required and is served as the central part of the Christmas Eve smorgasbord.

  For further ideas for Swedish recipes and Christmas recipes , visit our website.