I’ll be honest, it took me a while to fully appreciate some of the finer parts of my Norwegian heritage, such as the beauty of the language and elegance and simplicity in Scandinavian design. As a child, my primary connections with Norwegian culture were through my grandparents and by living near Ballard, a Seattle neighborhood that used to be full of Scandinavians. Therefore, I liked my Norwegian heritage, but it seemed quaint and old-fashioned, and sometimes just plain goofy thanks to Norwegian jokes and Stan Boreson songs. That said, one of the Scandinavian treasures I’ve always loved, as far back as I can remember, is marzipan candy.
Commonly shaped into pigs or various fruits, marzipan candy is a popular Scandinavian treat. Imagine taking a bite of almond extract, if that were possible, sweetened and given a delightful pasty consistency. I know, it doesn’t sound that appetizing, but it’s so good!
These days I love the sound of the Norwegian language, and how it feels to speak it (I’m contemplating taking another class soon). I’m intrigued by Norwegians’ sense of beauty and wealth; despite being one of the richest countries in the world, Norway isn’t packed with high-rises and ostentatious design, instead the Norwegians I’ve met seem to truly value quality and have a sense of contentment about them. And I’m enjoying discovering more about Norwegian and Scandinavian cuisine, in addition to the traditional dishes my grandparents served for holidays each year.
In celebration of the delightful things about Norway, I’m going to go eat another one of those candies…