Five things you have to do before Swedish summer ends

When summer days are numbered, the last thing you want to do is spend them trudging through supermarket aisles.

No one wants to push around a heavy shopping cart when they could be outside, breathing in the warm air and feeling the sun on their face. OK, that last part might be a stretch for Sweden, but you get the gist...

There is a solution, and it means you can enjoy the last days of summer and have a fully stocked fridge.

Order your groceries online at MatHem.se and get them delivered to your door at a time that suits you. With over 10,000 items to choose from --including fresh meat, fish, vegetables, and tinned goods -- you can stock up without wasting hours better spent enjoying summer with friends and family.

Now you’ve saved all that time -- what will you do with it? Here are our suggestions of how to spend the closing days of Swedish summer (and some tasty dishes to accompany them).

1. Go berry picking

One of the perks of Swedish summertime is an abundance of delicious berries! Swedes grow up foraging and their bounty plays a huge part in Swedish cookery. Think lingonberries on everything, chased with a berry-based dessert.

The Swedish blueberry is found almost everywhere, and can be turned into delicious jams to smear on pancakes with whipped cream, or baked into buttery, crumbly pies.

Once you’ve got your basketful of berries, there’s nothing tastier to turn them into than this mouth-watering smoothie bowl -- it’s a colourful breakfast that will summon that summer feeling whatever time of year it is. You can find more smoothie inspiration right here on MatHem.se.

2. Take a swim

It’s non-negotiable -- you absolutely have to take a dip before the temperature drops. In fact, there may actually be a Swedish law that says you must go swimming at least once during summer (but don’t quote us on that).

Wherever you are, with the country’s endless coastline and thousands of lakes, you’re bound to be near some water -- and this is Sweden, so don’t let not having a costume or trunks on hand stop you.

Make a day of it at the sandy Ribersborg beach in Malmö, or dive in off the rocks at Fjäderholmarna,on Stockholm’s nearest archipelago island. And if you’re nowhere near either, there will almost certainly be a scenic and inviting lake nearby.

Remember to pack a picnic so you don’t have to cut the day short. We suggest taking along these tasty sweet potato wraps with feta cheese and spicy beans (and pack them in your cool bag if you really want to prove your Swedish credentials). You can browse recipes for over 200 wraps here on MatHem.se.

3. Explore the archipelagos

Both Stockholm and Gothenburg are built on vast and spectacular archipelagos. Thousands of islands and islets, each with its own character and landscape, lie just outside the cities. And believe us when we tell you, it’s a really special sight in the summer.

Save time (and 200 kronor!) when ordering groceries with MatHem.se

Hop on a ferry and you can explore an almost uncharted part of the world. Many of the islands are relatively untouched, bar pretty wooden summer houses, small local communities, and shadows of ancient villages.

Rent a summer house for the weekend, or book a room in a characterful Swedish guesthouse. You can reach some islands by car, so if you drive make sure to fill your trunk with tasty treats. You could even pack a barbecue and eat al fresco -- these tomato burgers with grilled halloumi will go down a treat with the whole family. Check out more burger recipes on MatHem.se.

4. Go hiking

Sweden has nearly 400 hiking trails spanning the course of the country. You can still follow the trails in winter but nothing beats a walk on a light, warm day before settling down for an afternoon picnic.

Hike or bike The Vasalopp Trail in Dalarna, soak in the scenery along the Skåneleden trail on the south west coast, or follow the Höga Kusten on the Gulf of Bothnia -- just make sure to wear appropriate shoes and take a hearty snack!

We suggest making the most of the last days of rhubarb season and packing some home-baked rhubarb buns to enjoy with a flask of coffee. If you're on a health kick you could also try these tasty raw food balls made with ginger and lime. Who says you can’t fika on the go?

5. Host a kräftskiva

Nothing says “Swedish summertime” like throwing your very own kräftskiva, or crayfish party. It’s the traditional summer eating celebration (and a great opportunity to knock back a few shots of snaps while belting out Swedish drinking song Helan går).

Cook crayfish the traditional way with this flavourful recipe from MatHem.se. And no crayfish party is complete without västerbottenspaj, the delicious savoury cheese pie that is a mandatory kräftskiva side dish. And you can get all the ingredients and a traditional recipe right here on MatHem.se.

However you choose to spend the final days of summer, make sure you’re in good company with a fridge packed full of good food.

With MatHem.se you can even order the evening before and have your groceries delivered the next day. So if you see a sunny forecast you can plan a spontaneous kräftskiva without worrying when you’ll find time to get to the shop.

And right now, MatHem.se has a special offer that gives readers of The Local 200 kronor in savings on their first order with MatHem-se. Click here to find out more.

Click here for a special offer from MatHem.se

This article was produced by The Local Client Studio and sponsored by MatHem.se.