Normally, what appears on the julbord are several standard dishes, divided into three courses.
The first generally includes a variety of pickled herring and cured salmon, the second is bread, ham, liver pâté, red beet salad, and cheese, and the final course is comprised of the warm dishes with Janssons frestelse, dopp i grytan, meatballs, sausages, pork ribs, and cabbage.
Pork is a significant element here – the julskinka, or Christmas ham, plays a starring role despite the fact it didn’t become common on the julbord until the end of the 1800s.
The Janssons frestelse is a more modern addition too – because of the late arrival of the potato. The recipe wasn’t published until 1940 but the casserole made-up of julienned potatoes, sliced onions, anchovy fillets and cream is a well-loved favorite at Christmas as well as other festive occasions throughout the year. When our children grew up though, I had to use salmon instead. Today they both enjoy anchovy fillets.
Meatballs are another standard dish and everyone has their own family recipe. Swedish meatballs have become well-known with the world-wide phenomenon of Ikea. But generally speaking – nothing beats my grandmother’s recipe…
Another well loved tradition down here in southern Sweden, is to visit Copenhagen or Elsinore for the Christmas markets. We go every year – for the lights, the fun, the food. Next week – Copenhagen here we come!
Leya 
What a beautiful presentation of food, everything looks delicious! Thanks for sharing these photos, Ann-Christine.
Thank you for your comment! They were delicious indeed!
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I’ll have some of that Ann-Christine 😛
You are welcome!
Umm. All that food is making me hungry!!
Well…I guess you are a bit late for this dinner…
😉
The header photo is wonderful, and the Julbord photos even more so. I would love to taste all those delicious dishes.
Once a year is ok with me – too much spoils the cake ;-D
Oh my, I wouldn’t be able to eat again for days! Loved the display Ann Christine!
Well, I did not eat anything more that day…
What a wonderful spread,! Makes my mouth water just looking at your photos. 😜😃
😁
So much food! Who gonna manage to eat all of that 😀 By the way, do you eat meat also on Christmas Eve? We have fast on this day.
We always eat meat- never any fast. Christmas Eve we eat almost all day…and night!
Wow! It looks fantastic!
;-D I can tell you I did not eat more that day…
Hey ho!
Yum, I’d love to go to a Julbrod! Great photos.
Whoops, sorry I spelled it wrong, Julbord.
You are welcome, Susan!
Please save me a place at the table! I’d love to come. The food looks wonderful. We used to go to a Swedish smogasbord restaurant when I was growing up. It was always a favorite place. Have a wonderful time in Copenhagen too.
Thank you, Patti – and safe travels!
Beautiful presentation of the traditional Swedish food, so delicious! Way to celebrate!
Lovely Christmas market in Copenhagen. All are beautifully captured.
Thank you for sharing, Ann-Christine!
Thank you for hosting a great challenge, Amy!