http://vimeo.com/55253944
One of my favorite parts of this video is the explanation that "when it comes to traditions in Sweden, the why is less important than the how". I cannot tell you how many times I have read and re-read our Swedish Traditions book trying to find an explanation for different things (just wait until we get to the witches at Easter!).
Churches, schools, NK (=Bloomingdales), Skansen (=Williamsburg) all have Lucia ceremonies/concerts starting tomorrow and through the weekend. This is one of the times in Sweden where you have to buy a ticket to go to church. We are planning on buying tickets to attend the ceremony at Hedvig Eleonora Church. Since we cut through their grounds every day on the way to school I thought it would be nice to see the interior for a change.
My favorite part of this tradition is that the youngest child in the house usually plays Lucia and, dressed in white with candles burning on her head, she serves coffee and lussebullar (saffron buns) in the morning. I have been prepping Sofia all week.
No, I cannot explain why saffron buns are all the rage for Lucia Day especially since everyone I've talked to just tolerates or doesn't like lussebullar. In the past week or so the smell of saffron wafts through the air when walking past a bakery or 7-11.
In case you're curious here is the lussebullar recipe (translated from Swedish so forgive the quesstimates on measurements!)
Lussebullar
1 package of yeast
1 cup butter
2 cups milk
7 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 grams saffron
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs (one for dough, one for brushing)
raisins
1. Pour 4 cups flour in bowl and mix in yeast
2. melt butter in sauce pan, pour in milk and warm
3. mix saffron packet into the milk
4. Add salt, 1 egg, sugar and the rest of the flour (3 cups) with milk. Mix.
5. Let rise 30 minutes
6. Knead dough, roll into 'S' shapes
7. lay them on a baking sheet and let them rest 15 minutes
8. put on the raisins and brush with egg
9. bake buns at 425 F for 6-10 minutes (golden brown)
10. Eat
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