GF Certified Celebrates Family by Elizabeth Anthony Gronert

Being first generation American, my holidays always looked quite different than what I saw on television or in magazines. My mother was half Swedish and half Norwegian, my father was German, and we celebrated a Northern European style holiday.

Our start to any holiday meal would be wine-marinated herring with fresh dill, boiled potatoes, and soft-boiled egg. Plus, there were alcohol pairings depending on the type of herring. Herring is not just for holidays – I keep a jar in the fridge for those times when I need more seafood omega-3 in my diet. We also enjoyed Lingonberry jam instead of cranberry. My mother would share stories of picking lingonberries in the wild and making the jam when she was a little girl out in the Swedish countryside. Lastly, red cabbage and sauerkraut were treats enjoyed during the holidays. A yummy side dish, with added health benefits!

But it was not a holiday at our home without the meatballs. My mother had an incredibly special recipe and when we brought a plate to pass – people always asked for Nellie’s meatballs. She felt that it was the kneading of the raw meat with breadcrumbs, egg and seasonings that made the noticeable difference. Then cooked in butter with plenty of onions.

When I was in college, my father began making his traditional meatballs every holiday. Meatballs in a tangy sauerkraut sauce. His meatballs became legend! Since my father passed-away, we have been sure to make his meatballs when we get together. Food aromas and flavors are such a gift that bring back so many wonderful memories.

Today, I recreate both my parents’ meatball recipes. Now using organic grass-fed and pasture raised ground meat. I make breadcrumbs (and cubes for stuffing) from gluten or grain-free breads and other food modifications as guests need. But I do offer a gravy with my Swedish meatballs!

God Jul and Happy Holidays,

Elizabeth Anthony Gronert

To see Elizabeth Anthony Gronert featured in the 2020 GF Mom Certified Holiday Guide in partnership with Natural Awakenings Chicago Magazine visit www.nachicago.com/2020/10/23/332287/gf-mom-certified-holiday-guide-2020. To purchase Tiffany’s holiday Must Have’s and Gluten-free Gift Ideas, please visit our Amazon affiliated shop.

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