St Martin's Day 2025 in Sweden

​ St. Martin's Day, or St. Martin's Eve (Mårtensafton), was a significant medieval autumn feast in Sweden, especially popular in the Skåne region. The celebration, which honors the saint betrayed by cackling geese, is now more about tradition than religious observance. It marks the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. The highlight of St. Martin's Eve is a traditional roast goose dinner, reflecting the transition to the "winter reveling season."

Traditional Goose Dinner

The meal begins with svartsoppa, a traditional black soup made from goose blood, seasoned with fruit purées, spices, and ginger. This thick, reddish soup is often accompanied by goose liver and apple-stuffed goose. Following the soup, enjoy roasted goose stuffed with apples and prunes, complemented by sides such as red cabbage, roasted apples, and potatoes—all prepared with the surplus goose fat. Finish your feast with a delicious apple charlotte. Don't forget to wear expandable pants to enjoy this hearty meal fully!

History of St Martin's Day

Saint Martin of Tours, originally named Martinius, was a Roman soldier from what is now Hungary. According to legend, when the city of Tours sought to make him a bishop against his wishes, Martinius hid among the geese. However, the geese's cackling betrayed his hiding place, leading to his appointment as bishop. This story is believed to be the origin of the tradition of eating geese on St. Martin's Day as a form of retribution against the geese. The event is said to have occurred on November 11, 371.