Traditional Latvian kitchen isn’t complete without caraway seeds.
Rainy summer day. I and my granny are sitting in the old firewood shed. We are sitting on the table cloth. In front of us is a big pile of dried caraway plant whisk. We are taking them one by one into our hands. Rub the umbel and let the seeds fall down on the tablecloth. After a while, all the caraway whisks are seed free and put in one side of the shed. I loved those days! The sound of caraway seeds falling on the tablecloth and the rain drops falling from the roof and making small paddles. Cat purring somewhere behind us and the fresh wind in my hair… I was 6 years old and happy helping!
Those days are over. I’m grown up now and granny isn’t with us for a while now. I’m feeling responsible for bringing this tradition back! To give such a wonderful memories to my children and grandchildren one day!
So this year for the first time without my granny and as a grown up I was looking for the caraway plant in the nearest fields. And I was lucky! I had few caraways to collect in a whisk. After air drying it for a week I’ve tried to get seeds out. My, oh, my, it was satisfying! Caraway seeds fall down on the try and they are getting more and more.
Now I have my own caraway seeds to use with the beef in the buns or as a tea. Caraway seed tea is an ancient treatment for digestive problems, bronchitis, and even colic.
Me and my granny… I hope she’s happy with me!
Ilze
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Lovely story Ilze, I remember having cheese with caraway seeds in Latvia on the summer solstice.🙂
That’s a tradition on solstice! Did you like that cheese!? I guess it’s something you have to use to 🙂
I did like it, it tasted quite mild to me.
I plan to share the recipe after I finish all the repair. I’m stuck a bit!
What wonderful memories and so good you are resurrecting the activite for those to come. I know only to use caraway seeds in Hungarian goulash so look forward to finding some Latvian recipes with them.
I’m using them when cooking beef. Hungarian goulash also:)
I so enjoy reading your blog – each article takes me back in time to a much simpler life.
Refreshing thoughts.
Merci !!!
Suz
Thank you! I’m fan of simple. It’s not the easiest way nowadays but I’m doing it as much as I can.
If I ever ever ever find some extra time – I want to try several of your recipes. Keep posting them – and be sure to write then down for your children to have.
Thank you! Let me now after you had time!
I have a tear in my eyes! Makes me think of my grandma – and makes me want to be this kind of grandma! <3
You will be, no doubt! i think you ARE! Already!
You are so sweet. Thank you. And you are an amazing mom!!
I’m not so sure about that, but thank you. It so easy to think that you ain’t good enough if you have crying kids 🙂
I know. But I promise you are.
Accepted 🙂
😘
How wonderfully special are the memories shared with a loving Granny. And look at you keeping those memories alive by sharing with your family and us. Thank you for reminding me of sweet times shared with my Grandma.
You are welcome! I hope you have loads of good memories! And your playground will make good memories to your grandchildren as well!!!
Thank you for sharing your story. Smell of caraway seeds, meadowsweet… this is my summer as well….
Nice to hear! How do you use meadowsweet?
This is now very trendy 🙂 .. usuallly for making tea, but I have seen recipes to use it and season jam or grill it and eat as salad
OH. Looking forward to those recipes! May summer stay longer in Estonia!
It’s wonderful to continue family traditions.
And a great way to honor and keep your grandmother’s
memory alive.
Thank you. Do you have any good memories to share?
In the days before air conditioning, my siblings and I used to walk to the local drug store to buy an ice cream treat to cool us down. This was a regular event on Friday nights. And the ice cream did the trick, as long as you ate it quickly, before it melted!
This one so precious! Our local store is 6km away from us… but I guess we could cycle.