We often joke that Norway’s national dish is a certain brand of frozen pizza. But the people have spoken and they have said the same thing as they always had! Here’s an introduction to fårikål.
Norwegian Food and Agriculture Minister Sylvi Listhaug has egg on her face after the Norwegian public voted to keep fårikål as Norway's national dish.
The traditional one-pot stew of lamb and cabbage won 45% of the poll, ahead of other dishes including kjøttkaker (large meatcakes) and pinnekjøtt, another lamb-based dish popular at Christmas time.
“Those who voted for mutton stew, emphasised that it is a traditional dish. It is a dish that many Norwegians enjoy and that has been eaten in Norway for several generations”, says Erik Dalen from IPSOS, which was responsible for the survey. – NRK
Those keen followers of Norwegian news will remember the Progress Party politician took some stick six months ago by launching a competition to “replace” fårikål as the national dish.
“We already have a national dish, but I wouldn't mind changing the food and agriculture minister!” grumbled Steinar Bergheim in the comments to a an article in the VG newspaper. The Local
Well that stick has just increased ten-fold, as the nationwide search (costing I wonder how much?) revealed that the Norwegian public didn't want to change it after all. This is a cracking example of a politician trying to make a name for herself and her unpopular party – and it has backfired spectacularly.
Defenders will point out the study did raise the point that while adults favour the traditional dishes, children are more likely to ask for tacos, Grandiosa pizza and kebabs. No sh*t sherlock!
Traditional Norwegian food
While I'm on the topic, what is your favourite traditional or typical Norwegian food? Are you a kjøttkaker, pinnekjøtt and lutefisk lover? Or do you prefer to curl up on the sofa in front of the TV with a Grandiosa taco-pizza?
Whatever your preferences, let me know in the comments. Also, I’d love to hear of your thoughts on fårikål.
I must admit this was a nice read, Thank you for this first off, Secondly as a British looking to move to Norway to stay with her partner I love to read some of your articles but I must say the first meal I had when I went to Norway was kjøttkaker and I enjoyed it a lot so I would definately say I’m all for kjøttkaker.
I´m Nowegian and have several favorite traditional dishes. All depending on the season.
January – March I favorize Skrei. (cod with liver and eh…the egg bag…?)
Easter- lamb steak.
Spring – lapskaus. kjøttkaker
Summer, hm… no tradition.
Fall, Love the fall! Får i kål! kjøttkaker! more lapskaus, dose kjøtt (køtt i mørke) its beef in dark sauce with vegetables.
And winter.. hm.. I guess kjøttkaker, lapskaus and… ?
christmas comes with pine kjøtt and lutefisk on christmas eve 🙂 Love it!
Being half Norwegian with a Norwegian dad, I could never get out the house quick enough when lutefisk or fårikål was on the menu. Lucky mum who was Australian moved us all to a sunny place where we just throw something on the barbie. But kjøttkake always a winner for me!