Celebrating heritage with a TASTE

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Several ethnic groups in Dickinson have teamed together to create a cornucopia of flavors, textures and color.

The Northern Plains Ethic Foundation is sponsoring its annual TASTE as a fundraiser to cover expenses of the ethnic festival in the fall.

This year’s TASTE is Friday in the Queen of Peace community room. Serving is 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Germans from Russia are serving cabbage rolls, with mashed potatoes, cole slaw, kuchen and refrigerated pickles.

“Each group tries to find foods that are traditional to their ethnic group,” Germans from Russia president Norm Dukart said. “We chose ethnic foods that we grew up on.”

While enjoying the foods, Dukart said it’s fun to reminisce about parents and grandparents.

Elaine Dvorak, who represents the Czech heritage group, also is president of the Northern Plains Ethnic Foundation.

The group is preparing chicken noodle soup, dumplings and saukerkraut, crescent rolls and rice with giblets.

“We call it a TASTE, but it’s more like a meal,” she said.

She said it’s a chance to sample foods never tasted before, while visiting with neighbors and friends.

“Everybody comes to enjoy a very good meal while socializing — that’s what it’s all about,” she said.

The Danish will serve meringue cookies and a pea salad. The Finnish are making air pudding, while the Norwegians serve rice crème dessert and Christmas bread and the Swedish serve Swedish meatballs.

Dorathy Schmidt is helping prepare the desserts for the Scandinavian group. She’s been with the organization since its beginning.

“It’s so darn much fun,” she said. “Our organizations for the festival are busy with our own booths that we don’t get a chance to rub shoulders with fellow members. Here, we work side-by-side.”

The Ukrainian Cultural Institute is serving sausage and cheese buttons.

Coffee, lemonade and water are included. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door.

Tags: lifestyle, dickinson