August 23 is when people in Sweden celebrate their famous meatball. Swedish meatballs are widely thought of as Sweden’s national dish. The recipe first appeared in a book by legendary Cajsa Warg, published in 1755, and has been a firm favorite ever since. But Swedish meatballs are actually based on a recipe King Charles XII brought home from Turkey in the early 18th century.

Everyone has their own favorite recipe and many celebrity chefs serve their own versions in their restaurants. Most people though will say that their mamma’s recipe is the best of course!

Swedes like to serve their meatballs with either brown gravy or cream sauce and potatoes of any kind; just cooked or mashed. A modern version is to alternate the potato with pasta. Other accompaniments are lingonberries and pickled cucumbers.