Glossary
Food
Bordstabel: A rectangular cookie that can be served stacked. One of the seven traditional types of Norwegian Christmas cookies.
Fattigmann: Thin, deep-fried pastries made from a dough consisting of flour, sugar, eggs, cream, and cardamom. One of the seven traditional
types of Norwegian Christmas cookies.
Goro: A thin, flat cross between a cookie, cracker, and waffle baked in a special “goro iron.” One of the seven traditional types
of Norwegian Christmas cookies.
Hjortetakk: A traditional Norwegian donut with a sort of “deer antler” design.
Kransekake: A “tower” or “wreath” cake served on special occasions. The chewy dough has an almond base and is formed into rings that
are stacked on top of one another to form a cake.
Krumkaker: A waffle or cookie that is baked in a special iron and formed into a cone. One of the seven traditional types of Norwegian
Christmas cookies.
Lefse: A flatbread made with potatoes, flour, butter, and sometimes milk or cream and baked on a flat griddle.
Lussekatt: A saffron bun traditionally baked for Saint Lucia’s Day.
Lutefisk: Dried codfish that has been reconstituted in lye, giving it a gelatinous texture.
Medisterkaker: A flat sausage made from pork and spices.
M?lje: The broth from cooking pinnekj?tt.
M?ljebr?d: Crackers served with m?lje.
Pinnekj?tt: Christmas dish made from cured and dried lamb or sheep ribs that are then steamed over a rack or sticks ( pinner in Norwegian, hence the name pinnekj?tt , or “stick meat”) until tender.
Rakfisk: Traditional dish made from fermented fish, usually trout or char.
Risgr?t: Rice pudding served with butter, cinnamon, and sugar on top, a popular lunch meal on Christmas Eve (often with a marzipan
pig as a prize for the one who finds the almond hidden in the porridge).
Sandkaker: A sugar cookie baked in fluted tins. One of the seven traditional types of Norwegian Christmas cookies.
Sirupsnipper: Diamond-shaped spiced cookies flavored with dark syrup or molasses. One of the seven traditional types of Norwegian Christmas
cookies.
Skummet kulturmelk: Skimmed cultured milk or soured milk, similar to buttermilk.
Holidays
Anna pissihose: December 9, also known as Anna’s Day. Beer brewing often starts on this day.
Barbromesse: December 4, also known as Saint Barbara’s feast day. People used to say that the sun disappeared on this day and didn’t return
until Saint Lucia’s Day on December 13.
Lussi langnatt: The night between December 12 and 13, known as the most dangerous night of the year. According to folklore, if Christmas preparations
weren’t complete by this time, the demonlike female creature Lussi and her entourage might pay you an unwanted visit.
Saint Lucia’s Day: December 13, also known as the Feast of Saint Lucia or “Santa Lucia.” Girls often dress as Saint Lucia (clad in white gowns
with candle wreaths on their heads) and boys as “star boys” (with cone-shaped hats decorated with stars). Saffron buns are
often served in connection with this holiday.
Saint Thomas’s Day: December 21, also known as tomasmesse or Tomas fullt?nne . Traditionally, beer brewing must be completed by this time.
Other
?sg?rdsreien: Also known as the “Wild Hunt” or “Odin’s Hunt”—a mythical procession of restless, deceased souls who ride during the night,
particularly around Christmas and on Lussi langnatt.
Bunad: Traditional Norwegian folk costume often worn for special occasions such as weddings, confirmations, Constitution Day, and
other holidays. Each region has a unique style, and the bunad typically consists of a dress or suit made from wool, silk,
or both and adorned with intricate embroidery, worn with decorative silver or gold jewelry (s?lje).
Hulder: A mythical creature often portrayed as a beautiful, seductive woman. These creatures are believed to live in deep forests
and mountainous areas and have tails that they hide from humans.
Kakelinne: A term used to describe a period of mild weather that often occurs in December, before Christmas. In earlier times, it was
claimed that kakelinne was caused by all the baking; all the ovens brought about the mild weather.
S?lje: Decorative silver and gold jewelry most commonly worn with a bunad.