In Norway, and in other countries with whaling traditions like Greenland, the Faroes,
Iceland, Alaska and Japan, whales are considered tasty, nutritious food. In Reine, people
eat whale meat in all kinds of ways; as a joint, a casserole, as whaleburgers and in pizza.
The most recent addition is barbecued whale meat.
"Absolutely delicious," is what Bjørn Hugo (a minke whaler from Reine, North Norway)
thinks of whale meat and his view was recently echoed by a tourist from America - land
of the steak - who told an Oslo radio station after tasting a sample:"Meat can't get closer
to heaven."
Earlier, whale meat was very cheap food in Norway, but since the resumption of the hunt,
demand has been high, and prices are now on par with a good steak. In Japan, whale meat
is often eaten raw, dipped in soya sauce, in the same way as with "sushi". In Greenland
the outer layer of skin is a delicacy. This, too, is eaten raw.
THE TRADITION
"I suppose it's something to do with traditions," says Bjørn Hugo. He doesn't particularly
like the idea of French frog's legs, but has no problem accepting that other people have
"peculiar" habits in the way of food.
Meat is eaten in all countries. It comes mainly from livestock, but also from game. Every
year, about 60,000 deer are killed in Britain, about 900,000 roe deer are killed in
Germany, and in the US state of Montana alone, there are 100,000 elk hunters. Hunting
antelope, rabbit, kangaroo, wild boar and all kinds of birds provides a valuable
contribution to housekeeping at various places worldwide.
Breast of eider duck is a delicacy in Denmark. The people of North Norway wouldn't
dream of eating eider ducks. For centuries, they have built nesting boxes for them and
protected them from predators, in order to gain access to the valuable down and eggs.
Even though the gathering of down ceased a long time ago, eider ducks are still loved
and respected by the North Norwegians.