Hygge Holiday

Pronounced hoo-guh, "hygge" is a Danish term that has no direct English translation. It's a concept closely linked to coziness and comfort and is particularly associated with warm feelings of gratitude. Hygge is a perfect headspace for the holidays, evoking images of candles, slippers, cups of cocoa by the fire and hugs all around.

When applied to food, hygge is wholesome and nourishing, full of memories and indulgences. This season, we're celebrating hygge with recipes and foods inspired by the Scandinavian traditions and dishes from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.

Some of the tastiest and most popular ingredients around the market are used in Scandinavian cooking. Many of these you've probably used and enjoyed before:

rye bread
julekage
cardamom bread
sandbakkels (available seasonally in the Bakery Department)
marzipan pigs
lutefisk
pickled herring
krumkake
lingonberry and currant jam

lefse
cardamom
currants
fresh dill
salmon
cabbage
lamb
game

mushrooms
yogurt
potatoes
elderflower
juniper
beets
horseradish
apples
berries

Good Question: What about lutefisk?

A dried whitefish (usually cod) preserved with lye, lutefisk is a polarizing food among Minnesotans, who typically either really love it or really hate it. To make it safe to consume, the fish must be soaked in cold water for days, changing the water daily, before cooking. The soaking process gives lutefisk its characteristic (and polarizing) gelatinous texture. Those who love it swear by it and often enjoy the mild flavor all the more with a creamy or buttery sauce on top.