That’s actually a really good analogy. Most people would accept that going for a walk is free, and that tax money (in most cases) paid the path.

Difference in quality? Hmm, probably not.

But with the homemade ones, you can add fillings. Put the æble (apple) back in æbleskiver.

Just before the final turn to make the sphere complete, you can add

• A piece of apple
• A little applesauce
• A piece of chocolate
• Nutella (can also be injected into store bought æbleskiver)
• Other fruits
• …

Sometimes I use the method to make dinner instead of dessert, inspired by takoyaki (Japanese squid balls)

I make the batter with less sugar, slip seasoning you don’t think belongs in dinner. Maybe use broth for liquid. Here the fillings aren’t a bit in the middle, more of a 50/50 mix. I can fill the hole in the pan with fillings, then add batter. I like 2-3 different kinds of filling.

• Bits of ham or other meat
• Cheese, for example cheddar or feta
• Leafy greens like cabbage or spinache
• Sweet vegetables like corn or peas

Look for “madæbleskiver”, there’s so many fillings and dips.

In my country I pay for health INSURANCE through income tax. I get healthcare for free. I call it free because I don’t pay to go to the doctor or the hospital. ** So why is this distinction important to me? Because this means I don’t have to worry about paying for healthcare. I don’t save any money by not going to the doctor. I don’t loose access to health care if I loose my job. As long as I am a citizen here, money and healthcare are two unrelated concerns.

I know that money is going from my salary and in some way to the hospitals etc, there’s no way around that. But this way I don’t have to worry about it. Not when paying my bills, not when needing health care.