The annual Scandinavian Breakfast and Nordic Marketplace offers more than indulgence beyond its seemingly endless amount of sweets and traditional dishes.
The Sons of Norway Elvedalen Lodge 129 has been sharing Scandinavian heritage with the community for decades through its event that turned 31 on Saturday. Every spring, the organization’s members and staff at Clarkston’s Valley Community Center whip up a taste of culture to fundraise for Lewiston-Clarkston Valley nonprofits.
Julie Pierce, president of the local Sons of Norway, said the group was formed in the 1980s by people with similar backgrounds in search of conviviality. She added that the nonprofit is most active through philanthropic endeavors, aiming to give back to the community it is part of.
The breakfast is the nonprofit’s signature event, she said — its take on Nordic meals and celebratory dishes.
The spread features pannekakers, or pancakes, that Pierce said Norwegians typically eat for dessert or an afternoon snack with coffee. Other dishes include Oslo egg and sausage casserole, risengrynsgrøt or rice pudding and lefse, which is a traditional flatbread made from potatoes.
“Typically, I think you might see more smoked salmon or fish on Norwegian plates,” Pierce said. “We’re so far away from Scandinavia. We can have a bit of leeway and fun with it.”
The big hit, she said, is the dessert tray filled with a variety of Norwegian sweets.