Season for the crayfish – let’s get the party started!

This time of the year is very much known as crayfish season for the Swedes. We eat tons of crayfish, have crayfish parties and indulge in seafood.

It’s certainly not strange that it’s such a strong tradition in Sweden – we’ve been eating crayfishes since the middle ages. Since the 1500s the crayfish has appeared as festive food for the royals. However, it wasn’t until the beginning of the 1900s that we started using the term “kräftskiva” = crayfish party.

The first formally ‘allowed’ date to fish for crayfishes is August 8th. This is because the crayfishes should have the change to grow properly before they are captured. Of course foreign crayfishes are imported before this date, but the tradition with crayfish premiere in August is very strong ingrained in the Swedes, which is why many wait.

On the side it’s common to have crisp bread, cheese, shrimps, västerbotten-cheese pie and of course the mandatory snaps. Don’t forget the funny plastic hats!