The Soul of Öland:
A Family Tradition in a kroppkaka
A Taste of Öland
When you travel through the fields of southern Sweden and Öland, with their endless lines of stone fences and windswept skies, it’s hard not to feel that everything here tells a story. Even the food. And perhaps nothing captures the spirit of this region better than the kroppkaka, a humble, round dumpling filled with history, patience, and love.
At first glance, a kroppkaka looks simple: a soft, greyish dumpling made from finely grated raw potatoes, holding a warm heart of diced pork, onions, and fragrant allspice. It’s gently boiled until tender, then served with melted butter and a spoonful of lingonberries, that perfect Swedish balance of savory and sweet.
Kroppkakor first appeared in southern Sweden centuries ago, when life was modest and every ingredient mattered. Potatoes, onions, and a bit of salted pork were what most families had, so they turned them into something comforting, a dish that could feed a family, stretch the week’s supplies, and bring people together around the table.
Öland’s Unique Twist
On Öland, the tradition took its own unique form. Islanders make their kroppkakor with raw potatoes, giving them a slightly darker color and a firm, earthy texture. It’s a version that speaks of the land itself, simple, honest, and deeply rooted in local tradition. Even today, every autumn, when the potatoes are fresh from the fields, kitchens across Öland fill with the scent of kroppkakor on the stove. The dish even has its own special day on the island, a little nod to its place in Öland’s heart.
If you ever visit Öland and want to taste an authentic version, Arontorps Kroppkakor is one of the island’s most well-known spots.
Our Family Christmas Eve Tradition
In our family, we have a tradition that’s a little different from the classic Swedish Christmas foods. Not everyone enjoys every dish on the traditional holiday table, so about ten years ago, we began thinking about an alternative that everyone truly loves.
Sitting around the kitchen table, in the middle of ordinary everyday life, we started tossing ideas back and forth. Then someone said, “Why not kroppkakor?” And suddenly, it felt like a perfect choice, a dish everyone enjoys, full of flavor, warmth, and history, and carrying that sense of tradition we always try to keep alive, even if it’s not strictly a Christmas meal.
Every year since, we gather on Christmas Eve for kroppkakor instead of the full traditional julbord. Then, on Christmas Day, we bring out the classic spread, herring, meatballs, ham, and all the rest. It’s a balance that feels just right for us.
Still, when we tell people about our “Christmas Eve kroppkakor,” we often get a few raised eyebrows and curious smiles. It’s not what people expect, but that’s part of the charm.
Visitors from Brazil
Over the years, our kitchen has also welcomed friends and guests from far beyond Sweden, even from as far away as Brazil. At first, many of them approach the kroppkaka with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. The greyish color, the idea of sweet lingonberries paired with pork, the dense texture, it’s a world apart from what they’re used to.
Some find it strange, even challenging, on the first bite. Others are surprised by how comforting it feels, hearty, balanced, and deeply homey, in a way that somehow reminds them of feijoada, the slow-cooked Brazilian bean stew that also tells a story of family and tradition.
Watching that moment, the first taste, the laughter that follows, the shared surprise, has become one of my favorite parts of serving kroppkakor. Because food, after all, is about connection. It’s about finding a piece of home, even in a dish you’ve never tried before.
More Than Just Food
Because here, a kroppkaka is not just food. It’s memory, identity, and love, passed from one generation to the next. It reminds us that good things take time, that simple food can carry deep meaning, and that every shared meal tells a story.
So when you taste it, that soft, hearty bite touched with a hint of spice and sweetness, you’re not just tasting Öland.
You’re tasting history, community, and the quiet art of slowing down.
Just like feijoada.
Just like fika.
Just like home. ❤️