My husband and I with our two sons with be traveling to Sweden this summer. I, unforunately, don't like seafood. What are some things to try while we're there? Everyone else in my family will eat just about anything.

I didn't get out in the country but was in Copenhagen and Stockholm just after Christmas. There are lots of cafes, sandwich shops, etc. Lots of Italian and other ethnic restaurants. If you like beef I would suggest trying a reindeer steak. It is really good. We didn't eat at any place particularly "special", just ate at places that looked good and had things posted on the menu that sounded good. There is lots to eat there besides fish. Other than pickled herring at breakfast, which I love, I didn't eat fish at all.

Don't let the rest of the family miss the Surströmming! A preserved herring with a "unique" flavor and aroma.

Go to a smorgasbrod (meaning literally "bread and butter&quot and try a little of everything. Swedish meatballs are delicious, and when the have cloudberry jam on them they are to die for. Brown cheese on fiber bread, anything with fresh strawberries. . . actually, any berries for that matter. The sushi is amazing, but you don't like seafood. . .

It's rather bland, filling, starchy, creamy. Lots of bread varities. Too bad you don't care for seafood because they use it in so many ways. Their salmon dishes are endless, inventive, delicious.

Rufus,
You should be ashamed for recmmending Surströmming to mamaj, who can't stand fresh fish, much less the spoiled varieties. We have a large Swedish/Norwegian community here in the North West, and it is sort of a rite of passage to try both Lutefisk and that nasty rotten herring at holiday dinners.

I passed the Lutefisk test (once, barely) but could not get past the smell of the Surströmming.

Yuck!

Swedes have many potato dishes so look out for them, and don't forget the ubiquitious Princess cake (Layers of light sponge, fresh whipped cream and sometimes berry jam, all wrapped in a thin sheet of (usually pale green) marzipan or almond paste.)

They have the best desserts and ice cream!
Sweden also makes excellent cheeses and breads which is eaten a lot for breakfast. They also make a really good honey yogurt to put on cereal in the morning. I agree the reindeer meat is very good. Trust me you will find a lot that you like but if you like sweets you will be in heaven! I'll let you know if I think of anything more specific.
Annika

I now have something to look forward to! I love my carbs- bread, potatoes, sweets! I said my family will eat "almost" anything. If it stinks- probably not, but my husband LOVES sushi. We will be in Goteburg- right by the ocean. Can't wait!

I also remember having delicious belgian style waffles with a spat of butter and a spat of strawberries for breakfast. Yummy!
Also if you visit Liseberg you can find vendors serving hot dogs with a serving of pom frittes (spelling is wrong I'm sure) but it is a hot dog on a bun with a serving of mashed potatoes on top. Yum!

The reindeer meat that was surprisingly good.
At first we were reluctant but after the first tasting, we were hooked.

We were there with our two sons a while back, in Lund and Stockholm.

Breakfast smorgys were excellent, healthy, and generally fish-free -- raw veggies, ryetoast crackerbread, yogurt, cheese, pastries....

Swedish meatballs were excellent--with potatoes or whatever. I agree about the berry jams/preserves too--exellent.

I don't eat fish either and nevertheless ate well for two weeks.

We did have reindeer one night and the lads were initially reluctant but it was fine.

Have a great time.

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned Gravad Lax. This is Salmon filets which are prepared with pepper, dill, and some salt too, I remember. The two sides of the filet are put together and put a board onto the filets. Place a stone to keep this together and let it kept in a cool place for a few days.

Then find some of the Swedish mustard, which is special for Gravad Lax. Yummmmm!

mamaj you're going to miss this treat but make sure your family will try.

Again, the family should try all of the variations of sill and stromming (both names for herring). Try those which are prepared with onions, carrots, and vinegar. Another of mine is the mustard sill. I've heard that there's about 200 variations for the herring.

Quite often the herring is served with a type of cheese and some of the Swedish hard breads. I'm drooling right now.

Sweden has a big variations of cheeses. For the most these are hard cheese. You'll find quite a few variations while you're there.

All of the Swedish bakery treats are very nice. Even the Swedish version of the Danish Pastry is better than that which is found in Copenhagen.

Someone mentioned the cloud berries. Try to find a place where they serve baked Cambenbert (French cheese put in a batter)and serve this with fried parsley. Serve this with the cloud berry confiture. Again, Yummmmmm!

Palp Brot (spelling?) is another pass. Don't eat this unless your in insanity.

But mamaj, try to give a few of the small bits of herring. You might that you're really a fish eater. Many people who never taste good fish, think that they don't like fish. Look around the supermarkets and you'll find most of the fish are still flopping on the ice.

Beans with bacon are quite good but you'll need a bit of time. Maybe give this a pass too.

Blackduff

If your husband loves sushi, he shouldn't miss gravlax, the Swedish take on raw salmon. Very tasty, not a bit stinky.

It's pretty tough to find a place that still serves a traditional Swedish smorgasbord (sp?). Especially in the summer. I think the Admiral Hotel still serves one on the weekends. I never pass up Janson's Temptation if it's available. If you like black licorice, then you'll be in heaven in Sweden. Herring is surprisingly good if you follow it with some ice cold Norwegian Aquavit.

You'll find just about any kind of food in Stockholm. A personal favorite was the traditional Swedish food, husmanskost.

Try a Swedish home dinner. Check out these guys: www.stockholmselected.com - they can help you!

nukesafe--I felt pretty safe with my recommendation for Surströmming. I doubt they could have gotten within a mile of the stuff let alone acutally end up tasting it!

I love experiencing the food on vacation, but being a Weight Watchers member who has lost 50 lbs, I am concerned about what my choices will be. I love fish, but not creamy sauces and not too much high fat content yogurts and cheeses. Will I be able to get fruits and veggies? I don't intend to not experience the food, but I do need to be in control. Thanks for understanding my issues.