Norwegian Food Traditions

Certain types of Norwegian food frequently are part of a holiday tradition. Many holiday meals include some type of fish, primarily cod, and lamb often is eaten. Norway is well known for its Lutefisk and Rommegrot, a sweetened sour cream porridge, eaten on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Special foods appear when seasons change and others can be bought anytime from a street vendor.

Lutefisk

When people outside of Norway think of Norwegian food, their first thought is of Lutefisk. Made of dried fish--usually cod-- soaked in lye of potash and water, Lutefisk is either loved or hated, with no in between. Not a particularly attractive food with its white mushy gelatin texture, it is still a popular traditional Christmas food loved by Norway's people. It is usually eaten \with peas or potatoes.

Farikal

If Farikal is on the Norwegian dinner table, there's a good chance the days are getting colder. Farikal, a mutton or lamb and cabbage stew, is a national dish in Norway. Farikal is usually made with water, but occasionally the Norwegian cook will use dark beer instead in this traditional autumn stew. Most cooks will make enough to last several days.

Torrfisk

This food is created by a time-honored process of drying fish, usually cod. According to Norway.org the Torrfisk or dried fish as food is falling out of favor since there are so many fresh fish readily available. The original way of drying the fish was to hang it from long poles. Today the fish is dried in large, thermostat-controlled rooms. Most of the dried fish is exported. Some of it is kept and sold on holidays to use in making Lutefisk. A smaller amount is packaged as snacks.

Rommegrot

Rommegrot, made from sour cream, flour and milk, has been a favorite food for hundreds of years. It is not certain how the dish started or who created it, although the some say the Vikings ate it. It is a Christmas Eve favorite and traditionally served with butter, milk and sugar.

Polse i lompe

Polse i lompe is very similar to the American hot dog. But instead of being served on a bun, the sausage is wrapped in a potato tortilla type pancake. Polse i lompe is popular as a fast food and sold from street carts. People also serve it at cookouts and barbecues. Favorite condiments include mustard and ketchup and the less familiar prawn mayonnaise.

Resources

• Cooking Tips for Lutefisk
• A Taste of Norwegian Fall