Berries from forests and mountains, turnips, lamb, grouse and reindeer, large coal fish and halibut; autumn in the north is a fruitful time with delicious temptations
Cloudberries grow in all marshes in Northern Norway. You cannot pick them in some places as the marsh is privately owned, but you are free to roam over most of Northern Norway. They are a central part of cakes and desserts. Those who have a lot of them even like to put the cloudberries on a slice of bread. Blueberries are found in large numbers in drier forest areas and in the mountains and they ripen early in August. Cranberries grow on dry heathland and on the forest floor in Northern Norway and are picked in September. In the north, they are obligatory in all meat dishes, but they are also used in desserts.
Mushrooms
It is not very traditional to pick mushrooms in Northern Norway. Visitors from countries in southern and eastern Europe, where they are fond of mushrooms, are sometimes shocked that no one picks chanterelle mushrooms, fossil sponges and other edible mushrooms. In August the forests are full of mushrooms and it is possible to pick large amounts in a short time. In some places, there are mushroom checks for those who lack the necessary knowledge of mushrooms.
Potatoes and vegetables
In the north, potatoes are gathered in September, both delicate, oblong almond potatoes, round yellow “gulløye” potatoes, which have become a protected brand, and many other local sorts of potato. The yellow Målselv turnips are crispy, sweet and juicy and they can almost be eaten like apples. During most of the year northern Norwegians have to turn to imported vegetables, but in August, September and early October they can eat carrots, kohlrabi, swede, spinach beet and other vegetables from the local area.