Julebord

Summary

Julebord (Danish: julefrokost, Norwegian: julebord or jolebord, Swedish: julbord) is a Scandinavian feast or banquet during the Christmas season where traditional Christmas food and alcoholic beverages are served. Originally, the julebord belonged to Christmas itself, i.e., the period from Christmas Day and onwards. Today julebord is often organized by employers or organizations for the employees or members.[1][2][3]

Swedish Julbord aboard the cruise boat Gustavsberg VII in 1990.
Christmas table in a Swedish home.

Many julebords are characterized by large amounts of food and drink, both traditional and new, hot and cold dishes. There is often lively partying and the party can be an important social meeting place for colleagues. Julebords are a popular tradition that creates high season for the restaurant industry, the taxi industry and ferry companies during this season.[4]

Etymology edit

The Norwegian word julebord and the Swedish word julbord directly translate as "Christmas table", while the Danish word julefrokost means "Christmas lunch".[5] [6] [7] [8]

 
Christmas Pork ribs (svineribbe')
 
A plate of lutefisk, which is typical for Julebord

Traditional Julebord cuisine edit

Traditional Christmas food is usually served at Julebord events. These include: Rice pudding (risengrød), pork rib (ribbe(NO)/flæskesteg(DK)), lamb or mutton (pinnekjøtt), spicy sausage (medisterpølse) and lutefisk. The meal is usually served along with sour (red) cabbage (surkål/rødkål), brussels sprout and lingonberry jam. It is customary to drink mulled wine (glögg), Christmas beer (juleøl) or akevitt as an aperitif. [9][10]

Swedish "Julbord" edit

The Swedish julbord differs from its Norwegian and Danish counterparts. The Swedish julbord is a form of smörgåsbord and the main meal served on Christmas.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Ina Louise Stovner. "julebord". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  2. ^ "'Julefrokost' – A Danish Christmas Party". littlescandinavian.com. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  3. ^ "The Swedish 'julbord': a beginner's guide". thelocal.se. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Bjerkestrand, Frode. "O' julebord med din skandale". BT.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  5. ^ Einar Haugen (1974) Norwegian-English Dictionary: A Pronouncing and Translating Dictionary of Modern Norwegian (University of Wisconsin Press) ISBN 978-0299038748
  6. ^ "Julebord in Norway". thanksforthefood.com. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "Swedish julbord". thelocal.se. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Julefrokost: A Danish Christmas Celebration". expatolife.com. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "Julebord in Norway". thanksforthefood.com. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  10. ^ "The tradition of Julebord in Norway". sayhitonorway.com. Retrieved December 1, 2019.

External links edit

  • Danish Julefrokost
  • Swedish Julbord
  • Norwegian Julebord