The Best Norwegian Christmas Food to try this Year

If you will travel to Norway this Christmas, you don’t want to go hungry. Norway is a Nordic country that has many unique delicacies, especially during Christmas. Norwegian Christmas foods are always delicious and fresh.

As you will be traveling to Norway this Christmas you might also want to know all the Norwegian gift ideas available to give your loved ones at home. You can also get an iPhone in Norway at a ridiculously cheap price. Well, let’s focus on the food.

Mutton and pork

Among Norwegians, the most anticipated meal of the year is dinner on Christmas Eve.

Just two dishes in Norway compete for relevance when it comes to Christmas dinners. Ribbe (pork rib) and Pinnekjøtt (lamb or mutton rib). Though ribbe has been the choice of many Norwegians for many years, the popularity of pinnekjøtt grows every year. Many Norwegians eat the two  dishes during Christmas. That shows you how close the competition is. 

The rind of the pork rib is what makes it distinctive above all else, and it takes some time and works to make it as crispy as it should be. Meatballs, sausages, sauerkraut, and other filling dishes are normally served as accompaniments. 

Pinnekjtt, which means “stick meat,” is a salted, dried, rib-of-mutton dish that is traditionally prepared by boiling it on top of birch branches. The major ingredient is meat, though potatoes, mashed root vegetables, and broth are also important ingredients used.

Long Coast Fish 

Given Norway’s long history as a fishing nation, it is not shocking that Christmas is celebrated with seafood.

So, generally among Norwegians, the long coast fish cooked cod has been a favorite for Christmas Eve. It is preferably served with Sandefjord butter sauce, carrots, and potatoes. Even though the rib dishes to some extent have replaced the white fish as Christmas dinner, many southerners will enjoy it as one of many meals during the days between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Lutefisk 

Lutefisk is one of the longest-standing Norwegian Christmas traditions. However, Lutefisk has been existing since the 15th and 16th centuries. It’s made from stockfish treated with lye (“lut”). Norwegians eat over 750 tonnes of lutefisk every December. This dish even transcends the borders of Norway as it is also very popular in the US. particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin as they have a high number of Norwegians.

Smalahove 

An ordinary sight of this meal may put you off but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Smalahove is another festive special dish that is made from a sheep’s head. 

Originally associated with lower classes in Norwegian society, and more commonly eaten in western parts of Norway, it has now gained popularity among many Norwegians. The sheep’s head’s skin and fleece must first be burnt in order to make this dish. You put a handful of salt, remove the brain and dry it up. Sometimes, you can leave the brain in the head while it dries and remove it later. The brain is then either fried separately or consumed with a spoon. After cooking, the prepared head can be eaten alone or eaten with mashed potatoes or rutabaga.

Juleøl

All food and no drink make the Norwegian Christmas dull. During Christmas, most breweries release batches of Christmas beer (juleøl). These are Christmas versions of their beers, usually darker and spicier than their regular brews. 

Due to their use during festive and ceremonial occasions, beer and aquavit are frequently served alongside meals. 

Not everyone in Norway celebrates Christmas with the food alone. This is where the Juleøl comes in.

You now know the Norwegian meals to look forward to during Christmas. Enjoy the variety of spices ahead of you.