If you've been following us on social media (and if you haven't, what are you waiting for?), then you know that in a very funny coincidence, Sweden won our National Food tournament!

The dish chosen for the tournament, Köttbullar, consists of meatballs in a cream gravy sauce. They are often eaten alongside mashed potatoes and lingonberries. They were popularized overseas by IKEA after their in-store introduction in the 1980s.

But did you know the recipe is not originally Swedish? According to the Swedish government, the recipe actually originated in Turkey and was brought to Sweden by King Charles XII! 

Other popular foods in Swedish cuisine include blåbärssoppa (bilberry soup), smörgåstårta (Swedish sandwich cake), pickled herring, knäckebröd (crispbread), ärtsoppa och pannkakor (pea soup and pancakes), and of course, many delicious pastries.

Have you tried any of these? If so, which was your favorite?