This salad is typical of Denmark although it can also be found in Sweden (in fact southern Sweden was part of Denmark for a long time). Both Sweden and Denmark are part of Scandinavia, a geographical and socio-political area located in northern Europe that includes Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. In some cases Iceland and even Estonia are also added, although there are discussions about it.
Scandinavia was one of the last European territories to be colonized by man after the last ice age, once the glaciers withdrew. The primitive inhabitants, related to the Germans both ethnically and linguistically speaking, entered history with the first Viking raids at the end of the 8th century. The Danes and Norwegians plundered in the West - virtually no country got rid of them - and they were instrumental in creating the English, Irish, French, and even Italian states. The Swedes were dedicated to harassing the Slavs - the creation of Russia was due in large part to them - and to the Finns, an Asian people established in eastern Scandinavia and where the language never succumbed to that of the invaders.
Much of this expansion of the northern tribes was due to demographic pressures and a shortage of arable land (something they still suffer from). Compared to the Mediterranean towns, access to many vegetables, fruits and vegetables was impossible for the Northerners for simple climatic reasons. If we add to this the lack of sun, it is logical to think that for a long time there was a shortage of vitamins in the area. For example, until the potato - introduced in the 18th century - did not represent a cheap and easy supply of vitamin C, this could only be obtained from some cultivated fruits and from the collection in the forest of various berries. There were no citrus fruits or any other food that provided it in adequate quantities. This is the reason that there are many potato salad recipes in Scandinavia, although this one that I present to you, thanks to modernity in transport and food handling, does incorporate oranges that for the ancient Vikings would have been an unattainable luxury.
INGREDIENTS :
- A red cabbage
- A turnip *
- 3 oranges + 1 for the juice
- A glass of whole or chopped walnuts
- Salt
- Chopped parsley
- Sunflower oil
* Not really a turnip is used, but a kind of turnip that only occurs in Scandinavia called "rutabaga". If you can't find it - most likely - use radishes. If they are a little spicy, the better.
First we cut the red cabbage into very thin strips (if you have a mandolin, use it). We place it in a large bowl and on top of it we grate the rutabaga or the radishes.
Next we peel the oranges, remove all the white wax and cut them into medium cubes. We pour them over the cabbage and radish and mix everything well.
Finish by dressing with sunflower oil, a little salt, walnuts and the juice of an orange, decorating with parsley.
A source of vitamins and minerals that is appreciated whether you are Danish or not.
