Now that Plain But Wholesome is pretty much wrapped up, I've been wondering what to write next. I've been thinking about a little foodways book that focuses on Utah's Scandinavian food traditions over the generations since the original emigrants. This would not be a history like PBW, but more of a look at folklore and family ties, and how foodways evolve over time.
This would require that I find people with Scandinavian roots and interview them about their foodways. I was in Ephraim, Utah a year ago (an historic stronghold of Scandinavian settlement) and ran into a woman whose last name was Christensen. She didn't know her husband came from this long line of Scandinavian settlers. So I guess she wouldn't be one of my potential informants. On the other hand, I was in Manila, Utah last winter and I met a family who still included tradition lutefisk in their Christmas dinner.
I think there are such people out there. I've met a few. But I need about 40 of such folks. Are there 40? Are there ten? Are you one of these? Is there a Scandinavian food tradition in your family? PLEASE CLICK HERE if you'd like to participate in a survey about your family's Scandinavian food traditions.
Potato Paste/Peppermint Chocolates (1912)
3 months ago
2 comments:
I just came across your blog while searching for a "pioneer treat" to make my children in celebration of Pioneer Day. Anyway, my ancestors came to Utah from Scandinavia. Right off the top of my head, the food tradition I think of is topping pancakes with butter and sugar and rolling them up to eat. We always ate them like that going up. Apparently, that is an Icelandic thing; as my grandparents learned while serving a mission in Iceland a few years ago. Your site is great, I plan on spending much more time here! You can contact me melissasebourn@gmail.com if you would like.
I have a dozen or so Danish recipes from my great-grandmother who settled in the Taylorsville area. lorib 0728 at gmail.com
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