As I have mentioned many times, both GluttonBoy and I have an abiding love for Norway and Norwegians. We have a couple of very close Norski friends and try to visit them in a couple of times a year. And there are a couple of reasons we love Norway so much, and a couple of stories illustrate it:
(The details might be a bit sketchy here) In WW2, the German fleet sailed a boat up the Oslofjord. Bearing in mind Norway had given shelter to Jews when other countries had simply handed them over, this was a big deal, so the boat was scuttled, with all souls on board heading for the icy drink. The Norwegians, fearful that sailors would drown, jumped into boats and rescued them. There were no 'Gotcha' headlines here.
A few years ago, we went to stay with our friends in Norway. We talked about immigration and other issues and he mentioned that there had been some incidences of assault in East Oslo, by immigrants. The media had taken the view that, while it was of course important that the perpetrators were punished, wider society had somehow failed them as they didn't feel part of Norwegian society. It was therefore the responsibility of Norway to help them integrate. Imagine the Daily Mail writing something like that. Now stop imagining before your head explodes.
While there are loons anywhere, it seems particularly hard that a trusting, open, truly just and equitable society should have something like this. And because I love Norway so much, and this is ostensibly a food blog, I'm going to list the many things I like about Norway, despite it not really having a foodie culture per se:
They are obsessed with hotdogs (polse). You can (and do) buy them everwhere. Every party or gathering includes polse. With mustard, ketchup and sometimes potato salad. And sometimes in a thin potato pancakey wrap called a lompe.
Their idea of a good night out is to take a cake to someone's house.
They make amazing cakes, buns and bread.
They have a mandated school bun. This is so no-one has a better or worse bun than anywhere else.
They believe in going for a long walk, uphill, in rubbish weather, then stopping off for a bun. Bliss.
There is a log cabin cafe/restaurant outside Oslo, up the mountain, that sells the most delicious apple pie with cream.
Holiday dip mix - a spice mix you put in sour cream
Waffles - always served with strawberry jam and sour cream
Kransekake - an almond ring cake served at Christmas
Milk chocolate, especially with Daim bar pieces
Jelly ladies - they have boobs
So, eat Norwegian, be Norwegian, you know it makes sense.
GG.
