Norwegian Cooking Utensils

Cloudberries make a delicious filling for Norwegian krumkakes.

While most standard cookware is appropriate for the preparation of Norwegian recipes, some uniquely Scandinavian utensils are needed to make dishes like lefse, krumkakes or heart-shaped vafler or waffles.

Lefse Griddle and Turning Sticks

Lefse are a Norwegian Christmas tradition. Similar to a pancake, lefse are made from a dough --- often predominantly potato --- rolled into a thin round and cooked on a flat, cast iron griddle called a takke. The large lefse are flipped on the griddle with 24-inch long wooden spatulas, known as lefse turning sticks. The lefse are spread with butter and cinnamon sugar or sandwich fillings, rolled, cut on an angle and served.

Vafler Iron

Made with either sour cream or buttermilk, Norwegian vafler are cooked in a special waffle iron. A whole waffle looks like a flower and when broken apart, each "petal" resembles a heart. Vafler are sprinkled with powdered sugar or spread with goat cheese and jam.

Krumkake Baker

Krumcakes are crispy cookie wafers. Thin and pliable immediately after cooking, krumkakes are draped over and around a cone-shaped roller. Once the krumkakes are set, they are filled with fruit such as cloudberries, mousse, pudding or ice cream. They are also served plain. Krumkake bakers or irons can be electric or stove top.

References

• Norway-hei: Lefse Baking
• Bethany Housewares: Norwegian Cooking Utensils
• Rootsweb.Ancestry.com: Norwegian Recipes