Swedish necessities

This time of year, Swedes all over the country feasts on semlor. I'm lucky I'm timing my visit right this time, and can have them here, in Sweden - cause I have tried to bake them myself the last few years in the UK, and it has definitely not been the same...



From wikipedia.com: "A semla is a traditional pastry in Sweden, associated with Lent and especially Shrove Tuesday.
The semla consists of a cardamom-spiced wheat bun which has its top cut off and insides scooped out and is then filled with a mix of the scooped-out bread and almond paste, topped with whipped cream. The cut-off top is then put back as a lid and dusted with icing sugar. It is often eaten on its own, with coffee or similar.
The semla was originally eaten only on Shrove Tuesday, as the last festive food before Lent. However, with Protestantism the Swedes stopped observing Lent and today, semlas are available in shops and bakeries every day from shortly after Christmas until Easter."
Lucky for me!
I have already had one, and there will for sure be at least a few more, before I go back home!

Another thing I must have every time I come home, is Swedish lösgodis (= pick n' mix-candy). There is something special with mixing up your own bag of all your favourites, from the endless rows of boxes with yummy candy.
My favourites are: chokladsockerbitar, sura colaflaskor, bumblingar, Romerska bågar and kolabönor. And fiskar. And lakrisal. And Marianne. And...