Soup in its traditional form was made largely from what was available in the different regions of Norway. Most soups were based on game and fish.

Modern Norway has been influenced with other cultures and ingredients, but there is still a strong tradition for making soup from their regions.

Sodd is a traditional Norwegian soup-like meal with mutton or in the old days celebrated using fresh meat after the slaughter. Vegetables such as potatoes and/or carrots were used instead of grains. Today these soups are used as everyday meals, but at the time they were considered special treats.

Kal (cabbage) used to be the best dinner you could wish for in the Gudbrandsdalen area; a soup made with bacon and other meats as well as pearl barely – and later with potatoes and peas. The dish was often served on specific days, and was something people looked forward to.

Fiskesuppe (fish soup) is a common white milk based soup with vegetables, usually carrots, onions and potatoes, using a variety of fish. This is also known as “Bergen Fish Soup” as it originates from there. Think of it as Norway’s chicken noodle soup – perfect food for warming the soul.

Norway has a long tradition with knitting beautiful sweater patterns. One most likely knows of the Dale of Norway brand.

In 1872, Peder Jebsen travelled through the small village of Dale, located close to the city of Bergen on the west coast of Norway. He had years of experience with the textile industry and had studied modern production methods in England.

Jebsen recognized Dale as an ideal place to establish a premium textile production facility utilizing the valley’s potential for natural hydro power – and the easy access to Norwegian wool. He secured the rights for the local waterfalls and soon thereafter, steamboats loaded with new machines from England arrived in Dale.

The Dale of Norway textile facility was completed in 1879 and has remained active in the Dale village ever since. From the beginning, Jebsen was able to combine his knowledge of modern textile production and focus on premium wool. Thus, creating the designs and quality that has been Dale of Norway’s trademark since 1879.

Learn more about these topics Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Meetings are held the first Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in the South Room of the Minot Library, located at 516 2nd Avenue SW. The purpose is to organize a new Daughters of Norway Lodge in the near future.

Potential members interested in attending this event should call Sue at 509-1479 or send an email to norskjill@gmail.com.

Daughters of Norway are a non-profit organization open to women of Norwegian/ Nordic heritage. To be eligible for Standard Membership in a subordinate lodge of the Daughters of Norway, a woman shall: a) Be at least 13 years of age. b) Be of Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, or Swedish birth or descent; or c) Have, or had, a spouse of Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, or Swedish birth or descent; or d) Have a “slektning” (relative) married to a person of Norwegian birth or descent.

The mission and purpose of the Daughters of Norway is to unite into a sisterhood, women who wish to preserve Norwegian heritage; maintain among members a knowledge of the history, culture and language of Norway; and build a strong support system and bond of friendship within the sisterhood.

Lodges are located throughout the Central and Western United States. See www.daughtersofnorway.org for more information about lodges and the Daughters of Norway organization.