One of my best memories as a child is eating my grandma’s raspberries from their farm. fruits and rømmegrøt at the farmstead where my great-great-great grandfather was born. As our trip went on, I learned more about Norwegian culture and cuisine. In particular, dare I say, Norwegians are obsessive about foraging — especially for wild berries. It is a national pastime enjoyed by all generations every summer. The growing season in Norway is short, similar to North Dakota. Their cool summer days, coupled with long hours of daylight, are perfect for growing berries. Our trip was in July, which is peak berry season for strawberries, blueberries, cloudberries and raspberries. As we walked through an open food market in Bergen, we stopped to enjoy local Norwegian food. One of the fruit vendors explained to us in great detail about how important and commonplace foraging for berries is in
Norway. So much so that certain wild patches of berries, especially the coveted cloudberry, which is illusive and delicious, are kept secret by families. The locations are only shared from family member to family member. There is a Norwegian law called “allemannstretten” (every man’s right), which gives everyone the legal right to roam free on all uncultivated prime berry land in Norway. This really makes foraging a free-for-all activity. If you stumble upon a patch of wild berries, you have every right to pluck some for yourself and carry on about your day. Norway has a fantastic cake called “Verdens Beste Kake” or World’s Best Cake. For such a stoic and humble people, the title of the cake better hold up, I initially thought. After making it, I found that it certainly does. It perfectly utilizes any fresh berries you have
from your summer haul. Vanilla seems too bland a word, but the cake base is an eggy vanilla white-caked top with an ethereal meringue. It is all baked together, which makes this a very simple, but impressive cake. The filling is simple: freshly whipped cream and berries. I’d like to think my 8-year-old self was tapping into my Norwegian foraging genes, but, really, I was just a kid enjoying the splendors that be. Regardless, those memories and the love of freshly picked berries have stuck with me. Now that summer is here, take some time to slow down and enjoy it. Pick some fresh berries, mix them with cream, have them on ice cream or take an afternoon to make one of my favorites — Verdens Beste Kake.
Wine Wisdom
Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc Viognier, Sonoma County Looking for a spring sipper? This white blend from Valley of the Moon is incredible. The pinot blanc gives it a punchy, lively body with great peach and nectarine notes. By blending in the Viognier, this wine takes on a creamy, light honey mouth feel and finish. It is a very elegant wine that matches up with a great seasonal salad or fresh fish.
Chelsey Malstrom, Seven Sisters Spirits, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Famiglia Meschini Malbec Reserva, Argentina Personally, I think Malbec is a grape that gives you the best bang for your buck. Juicy acidity greets you first, which then mingles with gorgeous cranberry, cherry and cassis fruit. The light tobacco notes make this a perfect companion to grilled steak or pork. Fun wine fact: The winemaker Eugenio Meschini met his wife Teresa at the University of St. Thomas in 1990. I love a good Minnesota wine connection!
Cheers! Chelsey Malstrom INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
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