The past several years have had me digging deeper and deeper into my Norwegian heritage. Having grown up as a Norwegian-American once removed from Norway on my dad’s side (and the same heritage on my mom’s, just a few more generations removed), the cultural trappings–from the food to the traditions–have been an integral part of my life since I was born. However, stepping back and trying to make sense of how they fit within the heritage as a whole has given me new insight into and appreciation for where I come from. One of my favorite ways of doing so is by exploring the food.
From collecting recipes to make in my own kitchen to eating at bakeries and cafes, there’s so much that can be learned through a culture’s food, and I’ve been documenting my exploration for the past several years at my food blog. Since Syttende Mai is coming up this spring and one of the biggest celebrations outside of Norway is here in Seattle, I’ve decided to document a little bit of it here at the Flying Salmon, too, with a series in search of Scandinavian Seattle. Today’s feature takes us to Scandinavian Specialties, the city’s best resource for finding all sort of items representing the Nordic countries.
If you’re looking for Norwegian sweaters, Swedish crystal, books on Scandinavian cuisine, or any number of Nordic grocery items, Scandinavian Specialties in has it all. Located in Ballard–the Seattle city with the richest Scandinavian past–it’s a destination for anyone with a love that part of the world and seeking to bring a little of it home with them.
If you visit, don’t miss the cafe, which serves a variety of quintessentially Scandinavian food, from smørrebrød—open sandwiches–topped with smoked salmon or roast beef or the Norwegian vaffler–heart-shaped waffles–served with gjetost–brown goat cheese. Sit down with lunch and a cup of coffee and enjoy the casual hospitality that Scandinavians do so well.
Find it:
Scandinavian Specialties
6719 15th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117
Website