THE FIRST EPISODE OF THE SERIES "MUCK BOOT AS A BRAND IN EUROPE"

In the first episode of our "Muck Boot as a brand in Europe" series, we head to Sweden to meet Nathalie Larsson. Nathalie, European champion and former Olympian in sport shooting, lives there with her husband, son and two dogs - she forages for wild plants and hunts to conjure up delicious dishes for the family.

From Nathalie Larsson

Growing up in the countryside with animals and surrounded by nature has greatly shaped me and my life today. Even as a small child, I accompanied my parents into the forest to hunt or to pick berries and mushrooms. I learned a lot about plants and animals. 

I love filling the freezer with berries, mushrooms and meat in the autumn and then being able to live off it for the rest of the year. The feeling of being able to serve my family a dish where I have hunted, butchered, prepared and cooked the animal myself is incomparable.

I have two dogs that I hunt elk and wild boars with, and when they cooperate, it's incredibly fun to go hunting with them. Sometimes, when nothing works, it's not as much fun, but that's part of it too. Things don't always go according to plan!

When I have harvested a wild animal, my son often helps me with the butchering. He finds it exciting, and I recognise myself as a child in him. He asks many questions and wants to know everything. I love telling stories and try to convey the same feeling that my father conveyed to me. It also makes me feel good to show him where our food comes from and why you hunt. Sometimes he takes part in the hunt and thinks it's okay - but he's a keen angler. He has incredible patience and doesn't mind casting his rod again and again all day long. Both my husband and I enjoy fishing, so it's a perfect activity for the whole family. Perch is one of our absolute favourite dishes!

We don't grow as much in the garden as I would like, but at the moment we have currants, raspberries, rhubarb and apples that my husband and I care for as best we can. We make must (pressed juice) from the apples, jelly from the currants and jam from the raspberries. And rhubarb simply tastes delicious in cakes.

Living close to nature is a must for me - it gives me a peace that I cannot find anywhere else!

You can watch Nathalie's story here.