Location: Northwestern Europe, in Scandinavia Population: 5.3 million Capital: Oslo Geography: A long, mountainous, northern nation with a very rugged coastline Language: Norwegian, Sami Signature flavours: Seafood (especially smoked fish), dill, potato, dairy, lamb or mutton, rye bread, berries The Menu Eric and I travelled in Norway this past winter, and we loved it. Oslo…
Category: Europe
Assignment 39: Bulgaria
Location: Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula Population: 7.1 million Capital: Sofia Geography: A mix of plains and mountains with a coastline on the Black Sea Language: Bulgarian Signature flavours: Beef, lamb, sirene cheese, paprika, bell pepper, phyllo The Menu Before I even started searching for Bulgarian recipes, Eric was hinting at what he would…
Assignment 36: Croatia
Location: Southern Europe on the Adriatic Sea Population: 4.2 million Capital: Zagreb Geography: A mix of mountain, plain, river valley, and seashore Language: Croatian Signature flavours: Seafood, tomato, green peppercorn, pork, orange, fig The Menu Croatia is divided into four regions, and Eric wanted to represent them all in his Croatia assignment. The result was…
Assignment 35: Liechtenstein
Location: Western Europe Population: 38,000 Capital: Vaduz Geography: About half the country is in the Alps, and the other half is in the valley of the Rhine River Language: German Signature flavours: Milk products, pork, potatoes, asparagus, apples The Menu I was excited to have my first Western Europe assignment, and was pleased to find…
Assignment 20: Finland
Location: Northern Europe Population: 5.5 million Capital: Helsinki Geography: A low-lying country of lakes, fens, and coniferous forest. Language: Finnish Signature flavours: Salted and smoked fish, rye, potato, white pepper, mushrooms, butter, pork. The Menu Eric and I have been to Estonia and Norway and loved the food, so Eric was excited to have the…
Assignment 15: Kosovo
Location: Eastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula Population: 1.9 million Capital: Pristina Geography: A landlocked country of mountains and plains Language: Albanian, Serbian Signature flavours: Cabbage, meat, parsley, garlic, onion The Menu One thing I like about the Wooden Spoon Wanderer project is that it expands my thinking about places that might have previously been…
Assignment 13: Romania
Location: South eastern Europe Population: 19.6 million Capital: Bucharest Geography: A country of hills, mountains, and plains with a coastline on the Black Sea Language: Romanian Signature flavours: Potato, meats, bell pepper, parsley The Menu “The randomizer [we use to assign ourselves countries] must know I was born in Russia,” says Eric. “I keep getting…
Assignment 8: Serbia
Location: South eastern Europe in the Balkans Population: 7 million Capital: Belgrade Geography: A landlocked country with mountains in the south and east Language: Serbian Signature flavours: Bread, cheese, cured meats, bell peppers, relishes, flaky pastry The Menu Serbia, Eric learned, has a culinary tradition that intersects European and Mediterranean tastes. Eric loves bread (he…
Assignment 4: Hungary
Location: Central Europe Population: 9.8 million Capital: Budapest Geography: A hilly landlocked country lying in the drainage basin of the Danube River Language: Hungarian Signature flavours: Paprika, bell pepper, tomato, potato, beef, pork, cheese The Menu Eric wanted to make goulash, since it showcases many of the signature flavours of Hungary. He has always been…
Wooden Spoon Wanderer 