Kräftskiva
August is one of my favorite months of the year- you can spend all day on the river, you don't need to wear a jacket ever, and you can enjoy porch beers and lawn games til late at night. August is also a big deal in Sweden because it's the time for great celebration aka kräftskiva aka crayfish party.
In the 1960's, native nobel crayfish were in decline in Sweden, and the American signal crayfish was introduced to sustain the fishery (which became an ecological thing, involving crayfish plague, but that's a story for a different time). To protect crayfish from over harvesting, the fishery was limited to a couple months starting in August. The ban no longer exists, but the tradition remains.
So what happens at a kräftskiva?
In the 1960's, native nobel crayfish were in decline in Sweden, and the American signal crayfish was introduced to sustain the fishery (which became an ecological thing, involving crayfish plague, but that's a story for a different time). To protect crayfish from over harvesting, the fishery was limited to a couple months starting in August. The ban no longer exists, but the tradition remains.
So what happens at a kräftskiva?
This outdoor feast includes lots of crayfish decor- plates, napkins, cups, bibs, hats, and lanterns. You'll often find decor featuring the Man on the Moon partying with crayfish, possibly because crayfish are nocturnal and caught at night. You'll need bottles of aquavit to go with all the songs you'll be singing, such as helan går. You can purchase crayfish from some fish markets, you can even buy it frozen from IKEA, though the best way to get crayfish is to catch them yourself. Before you go, check your state's fishing regulations. In Oregon, you can catch crays by hand or with traps, 100 cray limit per day. Bring your friends and have them catch their own dinner.
There are two crayfish species here in Oregon. Signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, is native to the Pacific northwest and can easily be found in streams and rivers throughout Oregon (bottom right). Flip over a big, flat rock and you're likely to find one. Signals are distinguishable from other crays by the patch of white in between their claws. Oregon is also home to red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, which is native to the Gulf coast (bottom left). They've been introduced around the world as a method to reduce the prevalence of schistosomiasis as they consume water-dwelling snails that harbor schistosomes. They've also been released by teachers and students who believe they're returning their class pet back into the wild. Red swamp crays are red, bumpy, and aggressive. They alter food webs by outcompeting natives for food and space, and modify habitats by removing vegetation and eroding stream banks.
Where there are invasive species, there are delicious methods to make the best of the situation. Traditional kräftskiva recipe involves boiling crayfish in a pot of salt and dill. I use cajun seasoning to add an American twist on a Swedish tradition.
Aside - I'm reading this book to learn more about the history, politics, and food ways of Southern cuisine through the slave trade.
Let's talk food history and culture!
Aside - I'm reading this book to learn more about the history, politics, and food ways of Southern cuisine through the slave trade.
Let's talk food history and culture!
Recipe
Party Supplies
decorations
mardi gras beads or coozies
party hats
lyrics to helan går
a bottle of aquavit
lots of newspaper
turkey fryer or a stock pot, propane stove
Ingredients
30 lbs live crayfish
6 bags Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab Boil
1 small bottle liquid Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab Boil
a lot of salt
handful of bay leaves
3 large onions, quartered
6 lemons, halved
6 heads of garlic cut horizontally
2 lbs andouille sausage, diced into bite sized pieces
5 lbs red potatoes, quartered
as many frozen corn on the cob as you want
Directions
1. After catching crayfish, place in a mesh bag and store in a cooler on ice. When ready to cook, take bag out of cooler and hose dirt off of crays until water runs clear.
2. Fill stock pot or turkey fryer half way with water.
3. Squeeze lemon juice into water and throw in lemon halves. Add all seasonings, including both Zatarain's products, onions, and garlic and bring to a boil.
4. Add potatoes and cook ~ 5 min.
5. Add sausage and corn, cook ~ 2 min.
6. Add crayfish. When the water begins to boil, shut off heat and leave pot covered for ~30 min.
7. Strain food and place on table covered in plenty of newspaper. Wear a crayfish hat, sing songs, drink aquavit, and enjoy!
decorations
mardi gras beads or coozies
party hats
lyrics to helan går
a bottle of aquavit
lots of newspaper
turkey fryer or a stock pot, propane stove
Ingredients
30 lbs live crayfish
6 bags Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab Boil
1 small bottle liquid Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab Boil
a lot of salt
handful of bay leaves
3 large onions, quartered
6 lemons, halved
6 heads of garlic cut horizontally
2 lbs andouille sausage, diced into bite sized pieces
5 lbs red potatoes, quartered
as many frozen corn on the cob as you want
Directions
1. After catching crayfish, place in a mesh bag and store in a cooler on ice. When ready to cook, take bag out of cooler and hose dirt off of crays until water runs clear.
2. Fill stock pot or turkey fryer half way with water.
3. Squeeze lemon juice into water and throw in lemon halves. Add all seasonings, including both Zatarain's products, onions, and garlic and bring to a boil.
4. Add potatoes and cook ~ 5 min.
5. Add sausage and corn, cook ~ 2 min.
6. Add crayfish. When the water begins to boil, shut off heat and leave pot covered for ~30 min.
7. Strain food and place on table covered in plenty of newspaper. Wear a crayfish hat, sing songs, drink aquavit, and enjoy!