Norwegian Food = Amazing

Summary

This video transcript reflects a personal experience of living in Norway, focusing on the distinctive aspects of Norwegian cuisine and culture. The speaker shares their enjoyment of fresh fish, especially shrimp, purchased directly from the port, and describes the local sweets and chocolate, including the popular Freya brand. Norwegian hot dogs, dairy, and potatoes also feature prominently in their meals. While some foods, like lutefisk, were challenging to appreciate, the speaker fondly recalls enjoying rack of lamb and sausages. They also highlight Norwegian health, emphasizing the locals' athletic and healthy lifestyle. A mention of Norwegian brown cheese or brunost adds a personal touch, as the speaker enjoys this unique delicacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker enjoyed living in Norway, especially due to the fresh and unique Norwegian food.
• 😀 Fresh fish was a staple in their diet, often purchased directly from the port and consumed daily.
• 😀 Shrimp was a favorite, typically bought freshly cooked, and enjoyed with bread and Norwegian squeeze mayonnaise by the waterfront.
• 😀 Norwegian chocolate, especially the Freya brand, and pastries were some of the best treats the speaker enjoyed.
• 😀 The Norwegian hot dogs (pulsar) were unique, with various types, and often served with eggs or potatoes rather than buns.
• 😀 Dairy products like milk and eggs were abundantly available in Norway and commonly used in meals.
• 😀 Boiled potatoes with gravy and fish was a typical, delicious Norwegian meal the speaker appreciated.
• 😀 Lutefisk, a traditional dish made from cod soaked in a lye bath, was disliked by the speaker due to its gelatinous texture.
• 😀 Rack of lamb (pinashet) was another traditional Norwegian food the speaker found enjoyable.
• 😀 Despite the simplicity of Norwegian cuisine, it was healthy, and the Norwegians themselves were often tall, slim, and athletic.
• 😀 The speaker highlights that authentic Norwegian food can be found in areas like Salt Lake City and regions in the U.S. with a high concentration of Norwegian immigrants, such as Minnesota and Michigan.
• 😀 One of the speaker's favorite foods was Norwegian brunost (brown cheese), which has a thick, peanut butter-like consistency and can now be found in local stores under the Ski Queen brand.

Q & A

What did the speaker enjoy most about Norwegian cuisine?

The speaker enjoyed the fresh fish, especially shrimp, and Norwegian sweets like chocolate and pastries. They also appreciated the simple, wholesome nature of the food, including the hot dogs (pulsar) and brown cheese (brunost).

How did the speaker describe their experience with fresh fish in Norway?

The speaker described buying fresh shrimp directly from the fishermen at the fish market by the port. They enjoyed peeling the shrimp by the water and eating them with Norwegian mayonnaise and fresh bread.

What was the speaker's opinion of Norwegian chocolate?

The speaker loved Norwegian chocolate, especially the Freya brand. They particularly enjoyed 'livers' or four-leaf clover chocolate bars, both with and without nuts.

How were Norwegian hot dogs different from American ones?

Norwegian hot dogs, called pulsar, were not typically served in a bun. Instead, they were often eaten with eggs or potatoes as a main meal. There were also many different varieties, some boiled and some fried.

What did the speaker think of Norwegian dairy products?

The speaker appreciated the abundance of fresh dairy products, especially milk and eggs, which were readily available. These products were often included in their daily meals.

What was the speaker’s reaction to lutefisk?

The speaker did not enjoy lutefisk, a traditional Norwegian dish made from cod soaked in a lye bath. Despite multiple attempts to enjoy it, they found the dish unappealing due to its gelatinous texture.

What is brunost, and why did the speaker enjoy it?

Brunost is a Norwegian brown cheese made from goat's milk. The speaker described it as being thick like peanut butter and mentioned that they always make sure to have a package of it in their fridge because they love it.

How did the speaker view the health of Norwegians?

The speaker noted that Norwegians are some of the healthiest people in the world, often tall, slim, and athletic, which they attributed to the healthy and fresh food in Norway.

What was unique about the Norwegian food culture described by the speaker?

The Norwegian food culture was characterized by simple, fresh ingredients and an emphasis on local produce. The speaker highlighted the abundance of fresh fish, dairy, and eggs, and the low reliance on spices.

Where can one find authentic Norwegian food outside of Norway?

Authentic Norwegian food can be found in places like Salt Lake City, particularly during the Su Na Mai celebration, and in areas like Minnesota and Michigan, where many Norwegian immigrants settled.