Pyttipanna

Lore & Background

Pyttipanna, known as pytt i panna in Swedish, pytt i panne in Norwegian, pyttipannu in Finnish, bixímatur in Icelandic, and biksemad in Danish, is a dish traditionally consisting of potatoes, onions, and any kind of chopped or minced meat such as sausage, ham, or meatballs, diced and then pan-fried. It is often served with a fried egg, pickled beetroot slices, sour pickled gherkin slices, capers, and sometimes ketchup or brown sauce.

Reader's Guide

Pyttipanna's significance lies in its transformation from a humble leftover dish to a widely available convenience food and a staple of Nordic cuisine. Frozen pytt i panna of many varieties can be bought in almost every Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Finnish supermarket. The dish has inspired many variants, including vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as specific preparations like oxpytt (made with beef) and krögarpytt (made with more finely diced potatoes and beef). An alternative version includes cream stirred in after frying, creating a gravy-like 'cream-stewed pytt i panna'. Its legacy is reflected in its enduring popularity across the Nordic countries and its adaptability to both traditional and modern tastes.

Did You Know?

• The term 'Pytt i panna' is Swedish for 'small pieces in a pan'.
• The dish was originally made from leftovers of past meals.
• Frozen pytt i panna can be bought in almost every Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Finnish supermarket.
• An alternative version includes cream stirred in after frying, called 'cream-stewed pytt i panna'.