Think of the English word "meal" for "måltid", they both contain an L. Middag doesn't.

Yes

"middag" is literally the Dutch word for "afternoon". As a native Dutch speaker, this Swedish meaning is mighty confusing.

in swedish words can be like that so when you say it in english i sounds wierd i would know because i speck swedish

"Middag" used to be the meal you had at midday (and still is in some areas away from Stockholm) and in the evening you had "kvällsmat" or "kvällsvard". I think it changed when they removed Saturday school, so that you only had 5 school days per week (and so the newly borrowed English word lunch fit with on letter for each day on the school schedules instead of the six-letter middag which was used for the schedules with sixs days) back in the 50s. I still use "middag" as the meal at midday.

ät is the imperative. Ät upp maten! 'Eat your food!'
äta is the infinitive. Jag tycker om att äta 'I like to eat'.

It sounds OK to me, but here's a pronunciation by a native speaker: http://sv.forvo.com/search-sv/%C3%A4ter/

Middagen = the dinner. Here it's in the indefinite, and should be translated as such.

It varies a lot of course, but maybe in general an hour or so after they get home from work.

I see why you ask, I get that idea too... But I am guessing is not in "the middle of the day". ;)

Lol "when do swidish people eat the middag? Swedish and eat middag im pretty sure :)

I havent really other than go on it maybe about 20 mins a day.