the Travel Enthusiast
- 02 May
evike14 in Food Experiences | NO COMMENTSA short guide to Norwegian cuisine
photo by cyclonebill
Most anyone knows about smorgasbords, but what about other delicacies of Nordic cuisine? Norway doesn’t instantly conjure up images of mouth-watering concoctions, like the mention of France, but there is much to be found for foodies in these parts of Scandinavia. Norwegian cuisine is largely based on raw ingredients that were readily available for people in the past, and many of these unusual recipes are still widely used.
While ‘global’ dishes like pasta or pizza are just as commonplace in Norway as anywhere else, it is worth looking at the more traditional foods too on your trip to this amazing country, so here’s a short guide to Norwegian cuisine.
Torsk
Fish is naturally a staple of Norwegian cuisine, especially cod. Torsk is a dish that will surely appeal to those who like fish in general – it is a simple, satisfying dish of poached cod with boiled potatoes, coated generously in melted butter.
For those looking for something more interesting, there’s torsktunger, or cod’s tongue, which is a bit o an aquired taste, to be frank. Cod’s tongue was eaten out of necessity (so that no part of the fish would be wasted), but nowadays the gelatinous bits are consumed with great relish.
Lutefisk
photo by mtcarlson
Another acquired taste, but one that every visitor to Norway should try. The recipe is deceptively strange: aged dried fish soaked in cold water for days, and then in a mixture of water and lye, and then in cold water again for about a week.
The fish meat turns into a a sort of jelly, which is then cooked in a variety of ways. Lutefisk is very popular in Nordic countries, and it is usually washed down with akvavit or beer.
Smalahove
Once you get past the sight of an entire sheep’s head on your plate, this dish is quite enjoyable. It is made by removing the sheep’s brain and then drying, salting or smoking the head. The dish is traditionally eaten around Christmas, and it is considered to be a delicacy, although in the past in was seen as a poor people’s meal.
Sodd
Those who want to eat something that looks more like what they are used to, Sodd is the perfect choice. It is a soup/stew made with mutton, meatballs and a variety of vegetables. Sodd is a dish that is usually served at weddings and other important events, and goes very well with a nice mug of ginger ale.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Syltelabb
Another delicacy fit for those with adventurous tastes, Syltelabb is prepared with smoked pig’s trotters that one usually eats with their fingers. Syltelabb served with a dollop of mustard and beetroot on a slice of fresh bread is a great snack that you can get in more traditional pubs and eateries.
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