Eurovision!

Get ready for outrageous outfits, surprising performances, and lots of glitter – it’s the Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday 17 May! Taking place in Basel, Switzerland. This week, we’re spotlighting national dishes from some of the competing countries – plus the crowd-pleasers every Eurovision party needs.

Twenty-six countries will battle head-to-head to be crowned the winner, with the UK being represented by a girl band called Remember Monday. Whether you’re a hardcore fan, casual viewer, or (dare we say it) Eurovision sceptic, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of international flavour to brighten up your Saturday night?

Abba Meatballs: Starting in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has a legacy of over 65 years. With 7 victories each, Ireland and Sweden tie for the most wins, and the UK has actually won 5 times. Undoubtedly, ABBA is the most successful winner and went on to enjoy unprecedented success. From the Mamma Mia films to London’s current ABBA Voyage arena show, the Swedish band became a household name throughout the world thanks to Eurovision. Like ABBA, Svenska Kottbullar (or Swedish meatballs) have been embraced internationally from the IKEA variety to the homemade. This authentic recipe is accompanied by lingonberries and can be made with our Lidgate Minced Pork and Minced Steak. As the national dish of Sweden, these moreish meatballs are a symbol of the country’s culture and hospitality, often associated with family meals and celebrations.

The Host’s Swiss Sausage: Those lucky enough to be in the live audience this year will be traveling to Basel, a city on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland. Local specialties include fondue, caramels, and of course chocolate, but let’s not forget the country’s savoury delicacies. Pork is a Swiss staple, with all sorts of sausages and hams extremely popular. Cervelat is their ‘national sausage’ – a smoky variety similar to the frankfurter.

Eurovision sausages from around the world: Another big Eurovision player, Spain, champions the chorizo sausage which is often showcased in a paella, Spain’s national dish. Despite never having won, Poland has participated 26 times in the competition, and their national love for sausages is unmatched. Originally made in rural areas, sausages are one of the most traditional foods served at Polish weddings often garnished with fried onions. Inspired by flavours from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya, the Merguez sausage is a popular street food in France which can be found on our website here. Another French option is our Toulouse Sausages – a fresh and herby pork and veal variety from the southwest of the country.

Italy’s Party Rolls: A chance to show off, party food can be the perfect time to branch out and try something new. With thousands of Eurovision parties planned around Europe this weekend, why not take inspiration from Europe’s finest picky bits. Italy has lots to offer, and this recipe for a prosciutto, pear, and rocket bundles is the perfect balance of sweet and salty - our sliced Parma Ham would work beautifully.

Dutch Beef Balls: Winners in 2019, The Netherlands may not be famous for their canapés, but Dutch Beef Bitterballen are an ideal party food dish. A smaller, rounder version of croquettes, they often contain a meat ragout and are served with a smooth, mild mustard and a pint of beer, of course.

Greek Wings: Ideal for song contests and sport matches alike, chicken wings scream communal celebration. Inspired by the flavours of Greece (Eurovision winners in 2005!), this chicken wing recipe incorporates flavours of lemon, garlic, and oregano and pairs the chicken with a zesty herb butter. Our Lidgate Chicken Wings will do the job perfectly.

So, tune in on BBC One from 8pm on Saturday to catch a glimpse of this year’s show, or if you’re not a fan, take the evening to treat yourself to some European flavours. Watch out for the London pubs and bars which are hosting screenings of the contest – some of which have put on drag shows and party events as well. For something a bit more sedate, check out Everyman’s Eurovision screenings here.