Eating Scandinavian
– Interesting Foods From The Top Of the World
Like their Viking ancestors, modern-day Scandinavians
eat from the sea, the plains and the mountains of their respective countries.
While the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway naturally fall under the
Scandinavian banner, Iceland and the
Faroe Islands are also included.
Discover this multi-national smorgasbord of gastronomic delights and culinary
oddities anytime of the day.
Breakfast
Øllebrød
(Denmark)
Made of old rye bread and a light beer, this thrifty porridge is
sometimes enjoyed with a dollop of citrus fruit-flavored whipped cream instead
of plain milk.
Laks og
eggerøre (Norway)
Open faced sandwiches start many a Norwegian’s morning. When bread is
topped with this smoked salmon and eggs combo, the day is bound to be
special.
Skinka
(Sweden)
Like its western neighbor, Norway, open-face sandwiches often are the
first meal of the day. Skinka (ham)
is a popular choice to place atop knäckebröd
a crispbread – round and made from rye.
Skyr (Iceland)
Grab a spoon and delve into some Skyr. The soft,
yogurt-like cheese originated in Norway, but have been an Icelander’s breakfast
item for centuries. It was first mentioned in old sagas of this island nation.
Now commercially- produced, Skyr comes in different flavors.
Lunch/Dinner
Tvøst og spik (Faroe Islands)
Pilot whale meat often ends up on restaurant menus and
locals’ tables of this country strewn over a dozen islands. It is typically
boiled, with its blubber and cold potatoes. Health authorities have some
concerns over whale consumption, especially for pregnant women, so perhaps skerpikjøt (dried mutton) might be a
better choice.
Fläskpannkaka (Sweden)
Chase away
the chilly temps dining on thick pancake
with diced and delicious pork tucked in the middle.
Reinsdyrkjøttkaker (Norway)
Reindeer
live throughout the Nordic countries and are often used as venison in many
recipes. This dish is meatballs often accompanied by oven-baked potatoes and lingonberries.
Leverpostej
(Denmark)
Danes love their sandwiches. This liver paste
(usually pork) is spread over slices of rye and white bread
Pylsur (Iceland)
Icelandic hot dogs are
a combo of beef, pork and lamb. To eat like a local, order it "eina með
öllu.” It means with everything and includes ketchup, onions both raw and
crunchy deep-fried, the tang of remoulade and a sweet brown mustard. To be more
gastronomically adventurous – try smoked lundi.
That’s puffin to most of us.
Desserts
Rødgrød med fløde (Denmark)
The Danes stew summer fruits
like rhubarb, strawberries and raspberries until they are thick and pudding-like. Cream is sometimes poured
atop for a refreshing end to a meal.
Ostkaka (Sweden)
Although
it translates to “cheesecake”, do not order this expecting the American
version. Served as a square, instead of a slice, it is lukewarm and topped with
jams such as cloudberry or lingonberry.
Vínarterta (Iceland)
You’ll stay regular with this Icelandic
dessert. Five or more layers of cake
alternate with sweetened prune jam.
Pikekyss
(Norway)
Light and airy, these baked meringues translate to “girl’s kiss.”
Happy Nordic eating!
