Alright, alright, let’s talk about what to eat with them Swedish meatball things. You know, the little round ones, kinda like we used to make back home, only fancier. Folks call ’em “side dishes,” I guess. Whatever you call ’em, gotta have somethin’ to go with them meatballs, right? Can’t just eat ’em plain, that ain’t right. So, side dish for swedish meatballs, that’s what we’re talkin’ about.
First thing comes to mind, always, is mashed potatoes. But not that thin, watery stuff. Gotta be thick, you know? Like, you stick a fork in it, it stays put. I seen folks makin’ it with that heavy cream stuff, and lemme tell ya, that’s the ticket. Mashed potatoes with heavy cream, yeah, that’s good eatin’. Makes them meatballs feel right at home, you know? Comfort food, that’s what it is.
- Mashed Potatoes ( gotta be thick!)
- Egg Noodles ( the wide kind, like ribbons)
- Steamed Veggies ( carrots, peas, whatever you got)
Now, some folks, they like them noodles. Not the skinny little ones, the wide ones, like ribbons. Egg noodles, I think they call ’em. Boil ’em up, toss ’em with a little butter, maybe some parsley if you’re feelin’ fancy. They soak up all that gravy real nice, and that’s important. Gravy’s gotta have somethin’ to stick to, otherwise it’s just a waste, right?
And veggies, gotta have your veggies. My old man, he always said, “Eat your greens, keep your insides clean.” So, steamed vegetables it is. Carrots, peas, whatever you got growin’ in the garden, or, you know, whatever’s on sale at the store. Just steam ’em up ’til they’re soft, but not too soft, gotta have a little bite to ’em. They add a little somethin’ somethin’ to the plate, make it look pretty, and you feel a little better about yourself eatin’ ’em, you know?
Then there’s that dill cucumber salad stuff. I ain’t never made it myself, but I seen it at the store. Dill cucumber salad, they call it. Looks kinda like pickles, but not quite. I guess it’s got that dill stuff in it, and that’s supposed to be good for ya. And it’s got that vinegar tang, which is nice, cuts through all that richness from the meatballs and gravy. So yeah, that’s a good one, if you like that kinda thing.
And that lingonberry jam, oh boy, that stuff’s somethin’ else. Lingonberry jam. Sweet and tart, all at the same time. It’s like nothin’ I ever tasted before. My niece, she brought some over once, said it’s what they eat with them meatballs over in Sweden, or wherever they come from. I gotta say, it’s pretty darn good. A little spoonful on the side, and it just brightens everything up. Makes them meatballs sing, you know?
Pickled beets, now there’s a blast from the past. My grandma used to make ’em all the time. Pickled beets. They’re sweet, they’re sour, they’re kinda earthy. Not everyone likes ’em, but I do. They got that bright red color, makes the plate look lively. And they’re good for ya, I think. Grandma always said they were good for your blood. So, pickled beets, yeah, they’re a good side dish, for sure.
Roasted root vegetables is another fancy name for stuff cooked in the oven. You take them carrots, potatoes, turnips, whatever you got, chop ’em up, toss ’em with a little oil and salt, and roast ’em ’til they’re tender. They get all caramelized and sweet, and it’s just… mmm, good. It’s a good way to use up all them veggies that been sittin’ in the fridge. Nothin’ goes to waste around here, no sir.
And then there’s that sauteed cabbage stuff. Sauteed cabbage. You take some cabbage, chop it up, fry it in a pan with some butter or oil, and that’s it. Simple as can be. But it’s good. It gets all soft and tender, and it’s got a little bit of sweetness to it. It’s a good way to get your greens in, and it don’t taste half bad neither. My husband, he used to say, “cabbage keeps ya regular”, whatever that means.
So there you have it. A whole bunch of stuff you can eat with them Swedish meatballs. Mashed potatoes, noodles, veggies, that jam stuff, beets, roasted roots, cabbage… You pick what you like, mix and match, it don’t matter. Just make sure you got somethin’ on the side, ‘cause them meatballs, they need a friend on that plate. And don’t forget the gravy! Gotta have gravy. Otherwise, it just ain’t right. Now go on and get cookin’. And remember, no matter what you choose, your Swedish meatballs will be delicious! That’s what matters, right? Good food, good company, that’s all you need.
