Scandinavian cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world

The Scandinavian cuisine attracts with its simplicity. The main accent is made on natural flavor. Spices are not used much in it but food is more salty in Scandinavia than in some other region of the world. Salt has always been used there for preservation of food. Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian cuisines resemble each other because the countries are grouped together.

Fish plays the major role. Other characteristic features that make the Scandinavian food stand out is use of reindeer meat and cloudberry that is full of vitamins.

Norwegian cuisine

The most famous product in Norwegian cuisine is smoked salmon. Norwegian herring is very common in Norwegian cuisine due to its low price. It is served in different ways: as stockfish or clipfish, for instance. Lutefisk is a national dish in Nordic countries, which is a traditional meal for Christmas. The dish is prepared of stockfish and is gelatinous in nature. Norwegians also love such dishes as Svelve (pancakes), Bacalao (cod stew), Multekrem (cloudberries with whipped cream), Pinnekjøtt (steamed lamb’s ribs), Pølse i lompe (Norwegian sausage in a thin tortilla).

Meals in Scandinavia is not elaborate. Lack of plants in them is noticed even now. Imported foods are more expensive so local organic foods are preferred therefore seasonal cuisine is chosen for natural reasons.

Danish cuisine

In Danish cuisine, dishes are cooked of meat and animal fat, for the most part. There are not so many dishes with plants and vegetables, as the climate does not enable growing them in cold climate. However, it contributed to lengthy meat preservation, which became the staple of Scandinavian cuisine. Smoked fish is also very popular.

Fish is the basic ingredient in Danish cuisine. Torsk is a national dish. It is a kind of cod served with mustard sauce and potatoes.

Smorrebord is a small open sandwich made of rye bread and fish and different kinds of meat served as hors d’oeuvre. The same served with egg and spicy sauce make a Danish sandwich.

Swedish cuisine

Meatballs of mined pork called Köttbullar are popular in Swedish cuisine. Elk meat is one specialties of Swedish cuisine. There is little fat in it, so steak or goulash is cooked of elk meat.

The most popular plant ingredient In Nordic countries had been rutabaga for a long time until potato came to its place. Herring is very common in traditional cooking in Sweden thanks to abundance of fish. Salted herring can be found in cookbooks and national component of Swedish cuisine.

Finnish cuisine

Finnish cuisine is known for vitamin-rich dish with combination of reindeer meat and cloudberry. Also, fresh chanterelle is added to it. Pierogi is a dish that present dumplings with salted rice pudding.

Healthy Nordic delicacies

It is considered that Scandinavian cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world. Nordic delicacies include numerous varieties of pickled herring, gravlax, and many other dishes incomprehensible to people from other countries. Recent research confirmed that diet including rye bread, cabbage, fatty fish, root vegetables is very healthy. Thanks to Nordic cuisine, Scandinavians are not fat. Simple food prepared from scratch is preferred to fast food or processed food. It is impossible to overeat with such menu. There is much grains and oats in the diet. The dishes are cheaper and environmentally friendly.

Food is rich in protein, omega 3 acids and antioxidants. Cheap tasty fish includes healthy nutrients that is affordable to all peopleresulting in healthier hearts and reduced odds of developing diabetes. Meat and fish are served with such staples as potatoes and other root vegetables. Nutritionists say that cabbage, kale, Brussel sprouts include more antioxidants than any other vegetables. They are also good source of vitamin K. Rapeseed oil is often used in Scandinavian cuisine that can be a good substitute of olive oil. It includes vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids. Dark brown bread with grains and oats also contribute to healthy diet of people living there.People in northern Europe eat blueberries, lingonberries and cloudberries, which include unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids as fish.