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Sweden – Scandinavian Comfort Food and Culinary TraditionsSwedish cuisine is deeply influenced by the country's northern climate, agricultural heritage and long-standing traditions of home cooking. Potatoes, root vegetables, berries, fresh herbs and preserved ingredients have played an important role in everyday meals for generations. Swedish food culture is particularly known for its comforting dishes, balanced flavours and the tradition of husmanskost – simple, hearty home-style cooking. From cosy family kitchens to traditional restaurants, these dishes reflect Sweden's appreciation for satisfying meals made from familiar ingredients.
Köttbullar – Sweden's Famous MeatballsKöttbullar are among Sweden's most internationally recognised dishes. Traditionally made with minced meat, breadcrumbs, onion, milk or cream and warming spices, Swedish meatballs are commonly served with creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and sometimes pickled cucumber. Allspice is a particularly characteristic seasoning in many traditional recipes. This Via Veggie Vegan interpretation replaces the meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives while preserving the essential flavours and classic accompaniments. Homemade vegan meatballs, rich gravy, fluffy potatoes, sweet-tart lingonberries and fresh dill cucumber salad create a completely plant-based version of this beloved Swedish comfort food.
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England – The Home of Fish and ChipsEngland is famous for its comforting pub food, seaside traditions and classic dishes enjoyed across generations. One of the country's best-known culinary symbols is fish and chips, traditionally consisting of battered fried fish served with thick-cut fried potatoes. The dish became especially popular during the nineteenth century, when fish-and-chip shops developed into an important part of British everyday food culture. Today, fish and chips remain closely associated with seaside holidays, takeaway meals and traditional British comfort food.
From Fish and Chips to Vegan Fish & CrispsTraditional British fish and chips usually features white fish such as cod or haddock, coated in batter and fried until golden. In this Via Veggie Vegan interpretation, firm tofu replaces the fish, while nori seaweed, lemon juice and soy sauce provide a savoury, sea-inspired flavour. Instead of a conventional batter-only coating, the tofu receives a crunchy breadcrumb crust. And here's the twist: British chips are thick-cut fries, whereas thin potato chips are called crisps. My accidental interpretation of the famous dish therefore became Vegan Fish & Crisps, served with homemade vegan remoulade.
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Austria – Alpine Landscapes and a Rich Culinary HeritageAustria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, famous for its spectacular Alpine landscapes, historic cities and diverse regional food traditions. Its cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange within the former Habsburg monarchy and neighbouring countries. Hearty dumplings, potato dishes, seasonal vegetables and traditional pastries play an important role in Austrian cooking. From Tyrolean mountain specialities to Viennese classics and the rustic cuisine of Upper Austria, the country's culinary heritage is wonderfully varied.
What Are Grammelknödel?Grammelknödel are traditional Austrian dumplings particularly associated with Upper Austria. The name combines Grammeln, meaning crispy pork cracklings, with Knödel, the German word for dumplings. Traditionally, a soft potato dough is filled with seasoned cracklings, onions and marjoram, then gently cooked and commonly served with sauerkraut. My Via Veggie Vegan interpretation replaces the traditional pork filling with savoury plant-based ham cubes and uses a completely vegan potato dough. Served with creamy sauerkraut and a refreshing cucumber-dill salad, this hearty Austrian classic becomes a delicious plant-based comfort meal.
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Estonia – Seasonal Comfort Food from the Baltic RegionEstonia is a Northern European country on the Baltic Sea, known for its forests, islands and strong connection to seasonal ingredients. Traditional Estonian cuisine features potatoes, cabbage, root vegetables, rye bread and fresh herbs. Dill is particularly popular in soups, potato dishes and salads, while sour cream is a familiar accompaniment to many savory meals. Simple, warming dishes have long played an important role in everyday Estonian home cooking, especially during the colder months.
Estonian Kohlrabi Soup – A Creamy Vegan InterpretationThis Estonian-inspired Kohlrabisupp draws on the region's love of seasonal vegetables, potatoes and fresh dill rather than reproducing a specific traditional national dish. Kohlrabi and potatoes are simmered in vegetable stock and blended with soy cooking cream to create a smooth, comforting soup. Finely grated carrots provide a delicate texture, while nutritional yeast, crispy vegan bacon-style cubes and plant-based sour cream add savory richness. For Halloween, cooked kohlrabi is transformed into a handmade witch and spider, bringing a playful Via Veggie Vegan twist to this Baltic-inspired autumn recipe.
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Finland – Nordic Nature and Comforting CuisineFinland is a Nordic country famous for its forests, thousands of lakes, long winters and strong connection to nature. Finnish cuisine makes excellent use of seasonal ingredients, particularly potatoes, carrots, parsnips and other root vegetables that can be stored throughout the colder months. Simple, nourishing soups are an important part of everyday home cooking, offering warmth and comfort when temperatures drop.
What Is Porkkana-Palsternakkasosekeitto?The Finnish name describes the dish perfectly: "porkkana" means carrot, "palsternakka" means parsnip and "sosekeitto" means puréed soup. This creamy vegetable soup combines the natural sweetness of carrots with the earthy, aromatic flavor of parsnips. A small potato provides body, while plant-based cream creates a smooth texture. My vegan version is finished with fresh dill and given a spooky Halloween makeover with a homemade pizza dough witch's broom and decorative vegetable skewers.
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Finland – The Land of a Thousand LakesFinland is a Nordic country known for its forests, countless lakes, long winters and strong connection to nature. Its traditional cuisine reflects the country's geography and climate, with potatoes, root vegetables, rye bread, berries, mushrooms and fish playing important roles. Simple, warming soups are particularly popular, and fresh herbs such as dill bring characteristic Nordic flavors to many dishes.
What Is Lohikeitto?Lohikeitto is a traditional Finnish salmon soup made with fresh salmon, potatoes, leek, often carrots, cream and fresh dill. The name comes from the Finnish words "lohi" (salmon) and "keitto" (soup). My vegan interpretation replaces the salmon with homemade carrot lox, marinated in nori, soy sauce, lemon and liquid smoke. Oat cream and unsweetened oat drink create a rich, comforting broth without dairy, while the classic combination of potatoes, vegetables and dill remains.
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