Tacos of Cochinita Pibil, a popular dish from Yucatan, are seen during an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world's longest taco in Guadalajara February 15, 2015.
If you need an idea for dinner this Friday night, The World has a Norwegian dish for you: Tacos.
Yes. Tacos. Norwegians are crazy about them.
And every Friday night is taco night in Norway. People invite friends over and share a meal.
It's huge, as The Norwegian American reports:
According to a VG study in 2012, the taco is by far the most popular dinner on Friday in Norway—even surpassing the infamous frozen Grandiosa pizza! This study determined that 400,000 Norwegians—or 8.2% of the population—eat tacos every single Friday.
And participation in fredagstaco seems to be on the rise. Up to one million Norwegians are enjoying their Mexican fare on any given Friday this year. …
The tacos are the cheap, Americanized type (not Mexican goodness). The spices come from packets. But if you're an outsider and get an invite to taco night it means you've broken into the famously reserved local culture.
That's the word from Alice Ciccone. She's originally from Italy but calls Oslo home.
Here are some highlights from our interview with her.
On why taco night exists up in Norway:
I mean, most people like eating tacos. So why not do it once per week? It's a very easy food to make. It's really good. Every member of the family likes it because you can basically choose whatever you want in your tacos.
On the number of Norwegians who have eaten authentic tacos:
I don't know. I'm mot sure I've even eaten authentic tacos. This is the problem of every exotic food that we experience in a different country. I mean, as an Italian abroad, don't ask me if anyone has experience authentic Italian food, really.
On the normal dinner in Oslo:
The most eaten food in Norway is pizza. I mean, the traditional dinner is made of meatballs, fish, potatoes and vegetables. But people are getting used to eating different types of foods.
On if she'll take taco night with her when she returns to Italy:
I think I'll do it. I really like it. It's a nice way to share a meal with friends. And it's very colorful. And everyone can make their own plate and decide what to eat. So it's very convenient.