Midsummer is a time when food and meals really take center stage, which we think is wonderful! As a parent, it can be easy to think that you need to cook special food for the youngest, but the fact is that there is a lot on the Midsummer table that babies from 6 months old can enjoy.
There are so many different variations on a buffet table, and every family has their own version. In this post, we have tried to include the most common holiday foods.
Salt for young children
When it comes to salt, it is most important to avoid it for children under 1 year old. The older and larger the child, the more salt the food can contain, although too much salt is not good for any child (or adult).
It is unnecessary to accustom children to very salty food as this can affect their food preferences and health in the long term. But on a festive table once in a while I see no problem with a small taste of the salty food, even for babies. However, it is good not to give large amounts of, for example, pickled herring.
Food on the buffet table
Fish such as salmon and herring are often a large part of the Midsummer meal. However, both herring and smoked/cured salmon are quite salty foods that babies should not eat in large quantities. Taste is fine but boiled or fried salmon is a good alternative.
Egg is a great food for the little ones. A boiled egg can be cut into pieces or mashed and spread on a sandwich. Fried eggs also work well, given in strips or small pieces, depending on the child's age.
Pie Västerbotten cheese pie is often quite salty. It works well as a taste test, but you can also replace some of the Västerbotten cheese with, for example, mozzarella, which is a less salty cheese.
Sausage is a salty food that, like other charcuterie, should not be given to children more than as a taste test. Homemade meatballs, on the other hand, are fine to offer, just exclude the salt in part of the batter.
Potato are great food for the little ones! Peel and boil them until soft. Serve in wedges or small pieces depending on the age of the child.
Dessert
When it comes to the sweet part of the Midsummer table, it's best to stick to fruit and berries (strawberries are great!) or bake something naturally sweetened.
This is what a pickling plate might look like
In picture: The plate at the top of the picture is suitable for babies from 6 months. The plate below is for children from 9 months, who can handle the tweezers grip.
Recipe tips
Cream cake with vanilla cream
Try a naturally sweetened cake for the little ones. But we promise that the adults will want one – or more – pieces too.
Discover our baking tins
/Elin Oresten
Lic. nutritionist and founder of Knatteplock.
