Norway – Page 6 – Scandinavia Facts

There are thousands of reindeer in Norway, including domesticated ones that are herded and wild ones that roam free in designated regions. Reindeer have been important to Norway for generations for a variety of reasons. Yet many people want to know, do people eat reindeer in Norway? People eat reindeer in Norway. Reindeer meat is bought and sold in grocery stores in certain areas of the country. Some restaurants offer dishes that include reindeer meat. While eating reindeer may seem unusual to non-Scandinavians, it has a rich tradition in Norway and offers willing visitors a unique experience. Norwegians eat reindeer in a variety of ways, such as in soups and cuisines. People also smoke it. Below are some of the common traditional dishes that include reindeer meat, a few popular recipes, and some nutrition information as well. Keep reading to learn more. Also see Norse Gods vs Greek Gods: What's the Difference? Reindeer in Cairngorm Mountains, Norway Norwegian Reindeer Dishes: Examples Reindeer cuisine: Reindeer meat is a traditional ingredient in cuisines made by the indigenous Sami people in northern Norway. The Sami people are not Norwegian ethnically, but they live in areas of northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. When the Sami people eat reindeer meat, it is often combined with other foods found in the area like berries, fish, bird, moose, and vegetables. Dishes with reindeer meat include soups, stews, and casseroles. Some also bake small bits of reindeer meat into bread as well in order to give it protein and added flavor. Dried reindeer meat: Another popular form of eating reindeer in Norway is smoking and drying it. Traditionally, people, including Norwegians, have dried meat for centuries in order to preserve it so they don't have to eat it right away. Today, while preserving it may be a factor for some, many people just enjoy eating smoked and dried meat because of the tougher texture and the added taste of certain seasonings that go well with it. Eating smoked and dried meat in Norway is especially common on certain holidays like Christmas. Blodplattar: Reindeer meat is sometimes an added ingredient to blodplatter, a traditional dish served in Norway. Blodplatter - meaning, “blood pancakes” - takes the shape of a flat circle (i.e. a pancake), unlike a dish with similar ingredients, black pudding, which is often prepared as a sausage. Blodplattar is prepared in a frying pan. It is often served with different meats, including sheep, moose, and reindeer. Reindeer steak: Another traditional way of preparing reindeer in Norway is by sauteing it. Cooks may prepare the steak in reindeer fat, butter, and oil. Some may also add ingredients like berries, potatoes, and other vegetables to supplement the meat and add to the taste. Sami dish: reindeer meat over mashed potatoes Is Reindeer meat healthy for you? Reindeer meat is very healthy. It's high in fatty acids, similar to seafood like cod and crab. 100 grams of reindeer supplies a person with the recommended daily dose of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Reindeer meat is also lean, containing about 2% fat, which is more than other red meats, like beef, for instance. It has twice as much vitamin B12 than veal or lamb. [1] Reindeer meat tastes like other lean meat. It is not tough, like some kinds of venison. The smell is not particularly gamey, but sometimes the meat contains a metallic taste. [2] Do Scandinavians get along with each other? Some believe Norwegians dislike Swedes and Danes. Follow the link to learn more. The ethics of eating reindeer meat Like in other countries around the world, there are people in Norway that are vegetarian and vegan. The health benefits of eating such a diet motivate some. Others, however, are convicted to not eat meat for ethical reasons. They believe it is immoral to eat animals, including reindeer. The conversation about reindeer is ongoing in Norway. Some believe strongly that past traditions regarding herding and eating reindeer should be preserved. They also argue that vegetarianism and veganism should not be forced upon the indigenous Sami people. They ask, why should modern movements be forced upon Norwegians or Sami who prefer traditional ways of living and eating? On the other hand, people argue that important issues related to animals and the environment should supersede tradition. While many with this view see benefits of raising, herding, and using resources that reindeer provide, like milk or shed antlers, they oppose killing the animals to eat their meat. Like other places in the world, these issues won't be quickly resolved. History and tradition are strong factors in culture. Yet, modern movements often reflect current sensitivities and therefore gain momentum in cultures. For the time being, it seems that there will be tension regarding this matter. Example recipes using reindeer meat Nordic Shave Meat Stew Ingredients 1 1⁄4 lb (570g) shaved reindeer meat1⁄4 lb (114g) bacon, diced1 1⁄3 cups (100g) fresh mushrooms, cut1 cup (240ml) water1 1⁄4 cups (300ml) sour cream1⁄2 cup (120ml) milk2 oz (60g) Nordic brown goat cheese (sold as Gjetost or Brunost)1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme5 crushed juniper berries (optional)Salt and pepper (to taste) Instructions The reindeer meat should be sliced as thin as possible from a frozen form. Add the meat straight to a pot, on high heat, with the bacon and mushrooms. Brown the ingredients with butter. Add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the rest of the ingredients and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Serve immediately. [3] Visitors to Norway often notice something interesting: Many of the houses are painted red. Follow the link to learn more. Roast Reindeer Ingredients 300g deep-frozen reindeer meat100g greasy pork or 100 g american bacon½ teaspoon salt2 pinches black pepper200 ml beer (homemade, if possible) or 2 water Instructions Thaw the reindeer meat so the slices separate each other. Cut the bacon up in slices. Roll the bacon slices in a pan until the fat melts. Add the reindeer meat and brown it lightly with the bacon. Add spices and beer or water. Keep it under a lid for about a half an hour. Prepare mashed potatoes, put them in a bowl and make a groove in the middle of the mashed potatoes. Pour the roast reindeer in the groove. [4] Norwegian Reindeer Meat Cakes Ingredients 1 ½ lbs reindeer meat (or venison), ground2 tsp salt\½ tsp freshly ground pepper¼ tsp fresh ginger, grated½ tsp freshly ground nutmeg⅛ tsp freshly ground cloves2 tbsp cornstarch2 eggs1 cup heavy cream2 tbsp clarified butter for frying Instructions Make the sauce first in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the Aquavit and some clarified butter until sizzling. Add the onion and sauté on medium heat until clear, about 5-10 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté further, another 10 minutes. Add the stock and let it simmer then reduce by half. Add the juniper berries, heavy cream and brown cheese and simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Finally, add the currant jelly and season with salt and pepper. For the meat cakes: Place the ground venison meat in a large bowl, and add in spices, salt, pepper and potato starch, and mix into meat. Add the eggs and heavy cream and combine well. Shape into round patties, and fry them in a sauté pan for about 5 minutes on each side. Add them into the sauce and let them steep under low heat for about 15 minutes. Serve with boiled or oven-fried potatoes and lingonberries, and some delicious greens. [5] Summary Reindeer are valued animals in Norway. They are an important part of Norwegian history and culture. Many people see them as an important resource for everything they provide, from meat, to fur, to antlers, and milk. They are also valued for their ability to be domesticated. Reindeer have helped Norwegians for centuries and they will continue to aid people for years to come. References[1] Source[2] Source[3] Source[4] Source[5] Source