You don't have to live in Minnesota or the Pacific Northwest to have easy access to Scandinavian foods and ingredients. Here are a few of the leading providers of the specialty baking ingredients, imported seafood, cheeses, and baked goods that will make your next smörgåsbord both authentic and delicious.
Marina Market
photo ©Kari Diehl, licensed to About.com
If it's a Scandinavian ingredient, you can find it online at Marina Market, based in Poulsbo, WA. Owners Andrea and Jonathan Rowe have developed a fabulous product line not only of Scandinavian foods (everything from lingonberries to lutefisk TV dinners), but also of Dutch, German, and British items. Their site is a breeze to navigate, with an advanced search feature allowing one to check availability as well as browse by category and country of origin. Prices are subject to change from those advertised online, but current quotes are provided. There's a $25.00 minimum order – but with 350 types of chocolate, 312 brands of licorice, and great prices for things like pearl sugar and imported seafood, it's hard not to spend at least that much.
Ingebretsen's
Among American-Scandinavians of the Midwest, Ingebretsen's is legend. Launched in 1921, the business is still owned and operated by Julie Ingebretsen and her family. One of the strengths of their product line is that it includes items made on-site including their signature lefse, julekake, and pickled herring (perishable products must be ordered by phone to ensure timely delivery). Their selection of Scandinavian bakeware, tableware, and household items is also excellent – delivery is prompt, prices reasonable, and they offer great online sales. The pricing of items as stated on the site at the time of order is firm, even if they have to back-order products at a higher cost to them. No wonder they've been in business for 86 years!Olsen's Scandinavian Foods
photo ©Kari Diehl, licensed to About.com
Olsen's has been an institution in Ballard, WA since 1960, when it opened as B.D. & D. Ultimately purchased and beautifully merchandised by two Norwegian sisters, Anita and Reidun Endresen, it's a reliable source for Scandinavian foods, cookware, and cookbooks and is also a "must-see" store for Scandinavian food lovers visiting Seattle. While the web site doesn't have the variety of items they offer in their home store, it's easy to navigate and their response to queries is prompt. Particularly good is their selection of canned fish and of cheeses. Be advised that online prices are subject to change based on availability; you should confirm the final price when placing an order.
