Thanksgiving is a bit sad overseas- you have to work, nobody knows about it and the food just isn't quite the same (though we try hard). We had a potluck dinner with some American friends and it was a very nice evening. Since this is the time of year that food is really special I thought I would share some traditional Norwegian holiday food with you.
First we have the infamous Lutefisk (pronunced lutafisk). This is a very strange food - it starts as dried cod that is reconstituted in a water and lye solution which changes the consistency of the fish into jelly. At this point the cod is caustic and can't be eaten so they have to soak it in water for a week to make it edible. It is eaten at least once during the holiday season and is typically covered in bacon and mushy peas. They also suggest a shot of Aquavit (Norwegian liquor) before you consume it. We have tried it and neither of us was impressed to say the least.
Yummy fish jello!
That is not mashed potatoes - it's lutefisk
The next is Ribbe which is basically pork ribs- sounds okay right? Wrong - they eat the fatiest part of the rib - the best part to them is the fat and they get the exterior fat layer good and crispy. Ribbe is usually eaten on Christmas Eve but you can get it at most places starting at the end of November - even at Ikea.
Check out that fat!
Last we have Pinnekjøtt - which translates as stick meat. It is a rack of lamb that is salt cured then dried outside for weeks. It then has to be soaked in water to reconstitute it - after that it is steamed in a pan with birch twigs. The final product has very little meat and lots of bone/grisle. This is usually eaten on Christmas day but again you can find it everywhere including Ikea.
Makes me so grateful for turkey and honey baked ham!!
1 comment:
Oy! Just your descriptions make me thankful for turkey and ham!! Thank goodness you get to make y'all lots of yummy treats to make up the difference. :o)
Post a Comment