Category Archives: Glossary of Norwegian Foods and Terms

Norwegian Americans share a very special legacy in their family and cultural ties to a beautiful country, and in the delicious recipes developed over the years. This is especially true of Norwegian Holiday cooking and recipes.

The following words, terms, and phrases are excerpts from nearly 2,000 entries in Flavors of the Fjords selected based on their use in cooking, food preparation, household living, and family relationships.

Norwegian Heritage Food and Cooking Quiz

Norwegian Heritage Word Game

Fewer than one in five score 100% in this fun quiz touching on traditional Norwegian traditions, cooking, foods, family, and home life.

Norwegian Americans share a very special legacy in their family ties to a beautiful country, and in the delicious recipes developed over the years. This is especially true of Norwegian Holiday cooking and recipes.

Celebrate Your Norwegian Heritage

The following quiz includes words, terms, and phrases excerpted from nearly 2,000 entries in Flavors of the Fjords selected based on their use in cooking, food preparation, household living, and family relationships.  The mix and match format includes terms relating to:

  • Home and Hearth
  • Traditional Dishes
  • Traditional Cooking Preparations & Directions
  • Terms Relating to Table
  • Meats and Fish
  • Terms relating to Fruits and Berries
  • A Well Bread Tradition
  • Vegetables

We hope they may be of some help to those of you who wish to translate family recipes or letters.

Feel free to recommend additional terms for inclusion in future editions.

To assist readers translating family recipes, we have included various phrases and terms excerpted from manuscript cookbooks. These are italicized (in quotes) and retain their original spelling.

If you have a word or term from a Norwegian manuscript cookbook or similar document that you cannot translate, why not share it with our Editors and readers. Simply forward your query to: belleairepress@earthlink.net

You should keep in mind that although Norway has two official languages, we have used only one of them in this Glossary, namely “rikesmål.” The other official langauge is called “nynorsk” (new Norwegian), which is an artificial language created from various dialects spoken in different parts of Norway.


This informative and interesting word and phrase game was based on excerpts from the Norwegian Cooking and Family Glossary in Flavors of the Fjords, the Norwegian-American Cookbook prepared by Tove H. Fladvad.

 

A

Kransekake or Crown Cake, is Norway's most famous cake. It consists of concentric rings of almond paste dough decorated with Norwegian flags and drizzled with vanilla cream icing.
Kransekake or Crown Cake, is Norway’s most famous cake. It consists of concentric rings of almond paste dough decorated with Norwegian flags and drizzled with vanilla cream icing.
Sample Glossary entries from Flavors of the Fjords

abbor – Perch

absint – Absinthe

aftens – Evening meal

agurk – Cucumber

agurksalat – Cucumber Salad

aftensmat – Evening meal, usually 8-9 p.m.

altfor velernært – Overfed

alminnelig brød – Light rye bread

ål -Eel

ananas – Pineapple

ananassaft – Pineapple juice

and – Duck

andestek – Roast duck

anis – Anise or anise seed

ansjos – Anchovies

antikvitetshandel – Antique shop or store

åpner – Opener

appelsin – Orange

appelsinmarmelade – Orange marmalade

appelsinsaft – Orange Juice

appetitt -Appetite

appetittvekker – Appetizer

aprikos – Apricot

aquavit – Akavit

årfugl – Woodcock

årestue – Traditional log house with an open hearth. A smoke vent in the roof allowed smoke and bad air to escape

artisjokkbunn – Artichoke heart

arvesølv – Family silver or silver heirlooms

arvestykke – Heirloom

aske, oske – Ashes

asparges – Asparagus

att til – Alongside; Drikke øl att til maten, drink beer with one’s food; Spise brød att til kjøttet, eat bread with one’s meat

aure – Trout

avokado (pære) – Avocado

avkjølet – Cooled

avlang vannbakkels med vaniljekremfyll og sjoko-ladeovertrekk – Éclair

avlange former – Oblong baking form or pan

avling – Harvest or the crop

avrime – Defrost

avrunde – Round off

F

Norway's famous Maihaugen or "May hill" is Europe's largest open air museum. It consists of 185 historic buildings from Gudbrandsdalen and Lillehammer, many of them representing the farsgård of local families. The most popular attractions include Garmo stave church, the large farm of Bjørnstad with 27 buildings, and walk-through exhibits showing Norway's history.
Norway’s famous Maihaugen or “May hill” is Europe’s largest open air museum. It consists of 185 historic buildings from Gudbrandsdalen and Lillehammer, many of them representing the farsgård of local families. The most popular attractions include Garmo stave church, the large farm of Bjørnstad with 27 buildings, and walk-through exhibits showing Norway’s history.
Sample Glossary entries from Flavors of the Fjords

fårestek – Leg of Mutton

fadder – Godparent or sponsor

farbror – Father’s brother, uncle

fårekotele – Lamb cutlet or mutton chop

farfar – Father’s father, paternal grandfather

fårikål – Lamb Stew with Cabbage

farin – Granulated sugar

farmor – Father’s mother, paternal grandmother

farsgård – Ancestral home (farm) or estate; Also slektsgård

fatøl – Draft beer

fattigman – Fried Cakes, Crullers

feire jul – Celebrate Christmas

fersken – Peach

ferskvannsfisk – Fresh water fish

fett – Fat, lard, or grease

fettere – Male first cousins; See kusiner

Maihaugen provides a highly realistic view of rural Norwegian society through walking tours of restored historic churches, homes, farm yards and tools from the Gudbrandsdalen valley. Traditional farming methods and handicrafts are demonstrated, as well. Guided tours are provided in several languages, including English.
Maihaugen provides a highly realistic view of rural Norwegian society through walking tours of restored historic churches, homes, farm yards and tools from the Gudbrandsdalen valley. Traditional farming methods and handicrafts are demonstrated, as well. Guided tours are provided in several languages, including English.

finhakke – Chop up fine, mince

finbrød – Rye bread

fisk – Fish

fiskebolle – Fish ball

fjærfe – Poultry

fjellørret – Mountain trout

flamme – Flame or blaze

flatbrød – Flat bread, very thin, crisp, unleavened bread

flekke – Skin or peal

flesk – Pork

flormelis – Powdered sugar

fløte – Cream

flyndre – Flounder

folkeminne – Folklore

forlorent – Poached

forme – Shape or form

“formen smøres med smør og stødte kavringer” – Butter the form and sprinkle with zweiback

form kakene – Shape or mold the cake or cookie

forretning – Business or store

forstue – Entrance or lobby; Also entré

forvelle – Bring to a boil

fossekall – The Norwegian national bird

føste nyttårsdag – New Year’s Day

frikassé – Stew

frisk – Fresh, well, healthy, hearty, revive, refresh

frokost – Breakfast

fromasj – Custard or mousse

frukt – Fruit

frukt kompott – Stewed and mixed fruit

fyrstekake – Prince’s cake; Confectioner’s cake with an almond or apple filling

E

Kransekake or Crown Cake, is Norway's most famous cake. It consists of concentric rings of almond paste dough decorated with Norwegian flags and drizzled with vanilla cream icing.
Kransekake or Crown Cake, is Norway’s most famous cake. It consists of concentric rings of almond paste dough decorated with Norwegian flags and drizzled with vanilla cream icing.
Sample Glossary entries from Flavors of the Fjords

eddik – Vinegar

egg – Egg

egg bløtkokt – Soft boiled/cooked egg

egg hårdkokt – Hard boiled/cooked egg

eggedosis – Egg yolks beaten with sugar; Nog

eggehvite – Egg white

eggekrem – Soft egg custard used as a topping or filling

eggeplomme – Egg yolk

eggerøre – Scrambled eggs

einebær – Juniper berry

ekte – Genuine, real, true

ektemake – Spouse

elt deigen godt – Knead the dough thoroughly

elte – Method of mixing butter and flour into the dough; Closest English term would be “cutting” the butter into the flour or kneading

engros pris – The wholesale price

eple – Apple; “Eplet faller ikke langt fra stammen,” the apple fals not far from the tree, i.e. chip off the old block

eplekake – Apple cake

eplemos – Apple sauce

eplesaft – eplesaft

eplekake – Apple cake

eplesaft – Apple juice; “Sider” is the alcoholic variety

ernærende – Nourishing, nutritious

ert – Pea

ertesuppe – Pea soup

estragon – Tarragon

et forlorent egg – A poached egg

etter avkjøling – After cooling

etterkommer – Descendant

“etter smag og behag” – According to taste

D

The Driva River that flows near the Fladvad Family's ancestral home in the Sundahl.
The Driva River that flows near the Fladvad Family’s ancestral home in the Sundahl.
Sample Glossary entries from Flavors of the Fjords

dagens suppe – Soup of the Day

daglig – Daily; “Gi oss i dag vårt daglige brød,” give us this day our daily bread

dagligvareforretning – Grocery store

dåm – Flavor, taste, or tang

dampet – Steamed

datter – Daughter

datterdatter – Grand daughter

“de rulles ud til smaa krandse, bestryges med pidskede hvidder og bestrøs med grovstødt Sukker og Mandler” – Then roll out into small rings, coat with beaten egg whites and dip in coarse sugar and almonds

deig – Dough or doughy mass; “Slå opp for stor deig,” make too much dough, begin on too high a level

deigtrau – Kneading trough

deilig – Delicious

dekke – Cover, as in cover the rising dough

dekke bordet – Set the table

delikat – Delicious or tasty

“den taaler en lang, men ikke for stærk stegning” – Can be baked for a long time, but not at too hot a temperature

dessertbord – Table for desserts

dessertgaffel – Pastry fork

dessertskje – Dessert spoon

dram – Norwegian Snaps, drink, or shot

drikkelig – Drinkable or fit to drink

drikkepenger – Tip or gratuity

drikkevann – Drinking water

druesaft – Grape juice

dryppe – Baste

dryppe steken – Baste the roast

drysse over – Drizzle over; To powder or sprinkle. To dust the surface with a powder, e.g. flour; Sprinkle over, as in sifting flour over a wet dough as you’re working the dry flour into a wet dough

dyrestek – Reindeer roast

dyvåt – Soaked or dripping wet, wringing wet

B

Church at Bjerke, Norway
Church at Bjerke, Norway
Sample Glossary entries from Flavors of the Fjords

bacon og egg – Bacon and eggs

badstue – Small building or room for hot steam baths (sauna)

bær – Wild berries

bakebrett – Baking sheet

bakefjel – Bread or pastry board

bakepulver – Baking powder

bakeri – Bakery or bakeshop

bakerovn – Baking oven; “Varmt som i en bakerovn,” warm as a baking oven, hot as blazes

bakstehelle – Griddle for flatbrød or lefse

banan – Banana

bankebiff – Tenderized beef. Served similar to Swiss steak

barnemeny – Children’s menu

benløs – Boned or boneless

benmel – Bone meal

berberiss – Barberry

berlinerkrans – Berlin crowns or rings, a type of butter cookie

besk – Bitter, sharp tasting

best Good

bestefar – Grandfather

besteforeldre – Grandparents

bestemor – Grandmother

“bestrøes med Sukker og bakes brune” – Sprinkle with sugar and bake until brown

bestestue – The “best room,” the parlor

betasuppe – Meat, marrow, and vegetable soup

bie – Wait. “Denne maten er ikke mye å bie på,” this food won’t hold you long

biffstek – Beaf steak

bismak – Off taste, a taste that’s not supposed to be present

bisp – Hot drink made with claret and sugar

bit – Bite, or a mouthful

bjørnbær – Blackberry

blåbær – Blueberry, huckleberry, bilberry. Lit. blue berry. Det er bare blåbær for ham; It’s as easy as pie for him

bladselleri – Celery

blande – Mix or mixture; “Olje og vann lar seg ikke blande,” oil and water don’t mix

bland i en – Blend in a

blande – Mix or mixture; “Olje og vann lar seg ikke blande,” oil and water don’t blend

blandebolle – Mixing bowl

bland sammen i en kjele – Blend together in a sauce pan

blanding av oppskårne epler, rosiner – Mincemeat; Lit; a blending or mixture of cut, chopped, sliced apples, raisins

blings – A thick slice or chunk of bread

blomkål – Cauliflower

blomkålsuppe – Cauliflower soup

blomsterkrans – Flower wreath

bløt – Wet or soft

bløtekake – Wet cake or soaked layer cake; Milk is spooned over the layers, then covered with whipped cream

bløtkoke – Soft-boil

Author Bjørn Fladvad baked this beautiful, tasty “soaked cake” or bløtekake. The tart berries on top he hand picked and flash froze until needed
Author Bjørn Fladvad baked this beautiful, tasty “soaked cake” or bløtekake. The tart berries on top he hand picked and flash froze until needed

bløtkokte egg – Soft-boiled egg

bløtelegge – Soak. “Legge i bløt,” put to soak

bokk – Strong, dark beer

bokseåpner – Can opener

bolle – A sweet bun, roll, or (fish or meat) ball

bønner – Beans

bord – Table; “Dekke bordet,” set the table; “Ta av bordet,” clear the table

bordbønn – Grace, blessing

bordduk – Table cloth

bordet – The table

bordkniv – Table knife

bøsse – A small container, e.g. for salt. A cellarette

botsam – Useful, wholesome, or invigorating

brann – Fire

brett – Board, as in for rolling out dough; Baking sheet, tray

bringebær – Raspberry

brød – Bread

brød med smør på – Bread and butter

Broderi – Embroidery; Also prydsøm

brødleiv – A piece of sliced bread

brødskive – Slice of bread

brordatter – Niece; Lit; brother’s daughter

brorsønn – Nephew; Lit; brother’s son

Author Faith R. Connors wearing her Norwegian national dress or bunad.
Author Faith R. Connors wearing her Norwegian national dress or bunad.

bryllupskake – Wedding cake

bunad – Norwegian national costume

bunnskrape – Scrape the bottom or empty

butterdeig – Flaky pastry; Lit; butter dough

bygg – Barley

bygning – Farm house, residence; Also, hus or gård