A fellow guest at one of my absolute favorite, most flavorful, visually appealing and fun annual feasts to be fortunate enough to be a part of asked, during an early celebration of Pentecost in the distinctly Danish/American fashion: "What is Pentecost, actually?"
Pentecost is English for the Greek Pentekostos — meaning “fifty.” It hails from the ancient pentekoste hemera, a Christian expression for “fiftieth day.”
Although it isn't as widely celebrated as Christmas or Easter (primarily for Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox), Pentecost is in fact, the birthday of the Christian church.
Pentecost (May 24th this year — we celebrated a week early), commemorates the coming of the holy spirit on the followers of Jesus, a few weeks after Easter and resurrection.
Growing up in England, Pentecost, more commonly referred to as Whitsunday was a day to head out to the seaside, or the woods, for usually still bracing fresh air, a sandy picnic or a hike. It calls for considerably more involved feasting in other parts of Europe and the world.
According to the official website of Denmark: "The Christian Pentecost is also associated with the awakening of nature at Whitsun. It falls 50 days after Easter, i.e. at the earliest on 11 May and at the latest on 14 June.
Whitsunday morning which – probably because of the Danish climate – has come to prevail as the morning when the Danes go to see the sun dance. Since the mid 19th century, it has been a widespread custom either not to go to bed after the festivities on Whit Saturday or to get up early to drink morning coffee and perhaps a glass of aquavit and bitters (‘Gammel Dansk’) near the places where the sun can be seen".
Regular readers of Southern Sonoma Country Life were introduced to my lovely Danish-born friend Lotte (and her husband Larry, who does his fair share of preparations)and their annual Pentecostal Feast, last year — an extraordinary and extensive taste of Denmark with a distinctly Northern California twist.
Guests share in the shopping and preparation of delicious dishes such as shrimp and dill salad and two kinds of herring, marinerede & karry, pictured below.
Fish filet with remoulade — outstanding! Pilsner beer and Akvavit. And let's not forget roast pork with crispy crackling, red cabbage, pate, frikadeller, smoked cheeses, fresh creamy Danish fruit salad with chocolate and last but not least, a platter of homemade Danish butter cookies that I managed to brown on their bottoms to the optimum degree.
It doesn't get more "ice-cold", or glorious than this giant frozen floral ice cube for keeping the traditional Scandinavian, spicy, herby aquavit perfectly chilled.
Lotte's muted decor colors speak to me of Scandinavian waters and skies. This stunning painting was a gift from her Danish aunt.
Pentecost with the North Bay Danes is an all-day party that lasts long into the evening hours. There's plenty of time to reconnect and savor the experience and cell phones (other than for taking pictures) stay off!
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