![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Kr%25C3%25A4ftskiva%252C_H%25C3%25A4ringe_slott%252C_1991.jpg/640px-Kr%25C3%25A4ftskiva%252C_H%25C3%25A4ringe_slott%252C_1991.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Crayfish party
Scandinavian tradition linked to crayfish harvest regulations / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A crayfish party is a traditional summertime eating and drinking celebration in the Nordic countries. The tradition originated in Sweden, where a crayfish party is called a kräftskiva. The tradition has also spread to Finland via its Swedish-speaking population,[1] and Norway. A similar tradition exists in the Baltic countries in particular in Lithuania and Latvia.[citation needed]
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Kr%C3%A4ftskiva%2C_H%C3%A4ringe_slott%2C_1991.jpg/640px-Kr%C3%A4ftskiva%2C_H%C3%A4ringe_slott%2C_1991.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Cooked_crayfish_with_dill.jpg/640px-Cooked_crayfish_with_dill.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Crawfish_party_or_kr%C3%A4ftskiva.jpg/640px-Crawfish_party_or_kr%C3%A4ftskiva.jpg)
Crayfish parties are generally held during August, a tradition that began because the crayfish harvest in Sweden was, for most of the 20th century, legally limited to the late summer.[2] Nowadays, the kräftpremiär date in early August has no legal significance. Customary party accessories are novelty paper hats, paper tablecloths, paper lanterns (often depicting the Man in the Moon), and bibs.[2]
Akvavit and other kinds of snaps are served, as well as beer, and traditional drinking songs (snapsvisa) may be sung.[3][2] The crayfish are boiled in salt water and seasoned with fresh dill – preferably "crown dill" harvested after the plant has flowered – then served cold and eaten with the fingers. Bread, mushroom pies, strong Västerbotten cheese, salads and other dishes are served buffet-style.[2]