I ate my first…
Aebleskivers: Danish pancake balls
A few hours away from Los Angeles lies Solvang, a Danish-American community. Its name translates to sunny meadow. Immigrants from Denmark established themselves here, partially because of the local folk school, where cultural traditions and other skills were taught.
Aebleskivers are traditional pastries made around Christmas. They are cooked in a special pan with hemispherical indentations. Once they bubble up, the pancakes are turned over using a knitting needle (or fork). Then they’re able to be cooked into a spherical shape.
The pancakes aren’t sweet at all, so a dusting of powdered sugar goes on top. They’re also accompanied by a fruit jam (usually raspberry) to give it more sweetness. Aebleskivers are not the most dessert-like treat, but they offer a great taste of culture.
What cultural delights have you tried?
They look yummy. It’s always nice learning about cultural treats. And even more fun trying them. :)
Definitely love checking out cultures via food! Although clothes are nice, too…
:)
I’ve been to Solvang and ate some pancakes there. You’re right, they taste different from the ones we are used to eat here. But I love trying new food traditions. Wherever I travel I always try something I never ate. Last summer we drove through the South and I had fried green tomatoes, grits, biscuits and all sorts of bread pudding, much sweeter than the ones in CA. But I enjoyed the fact that locals were eating that at the same time. Food and culture go together. We can have our own taste but it would be too bad to skip the experience.
There’s this great pancake house in Solvang, but we missed getting there in time for breakfast :( I’ve always wanted to go to the South to savor the food, hospitality, and music.