Nancy Bortz's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Nancy Bortz's activity rankings
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Places visited in Qaqortoq, Greenland
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Places visited in Longyearbyen, Norway
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Places visited in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
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Places visited in Jefferson City, Missouri
Coffee Crisp
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Coffee Crisp

This candy rarely ventures beyond Canada's borders.
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Motiv Zuckerl
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Motiv Zuckerl

These detailed, dainty confections are made by hand with minimal tools.
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Mozartkugel
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Mozartkugel

Like the famed composer himself, this Mozart-homage bonbon originated in Salzburg, Austria.
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Pepernoten
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Pepernoten

Every December, Sinterklaas and his helper throw these little spiced cookies to Dutch children.
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Lussekatter
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Lussekatter

These saffron buns are eaten on Lucia Day in Sweden.
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Castagne del Prete
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Castagne del Prete

To do Christmas right, Italians turn to heavenly chestnuts.
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Pączki
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Pączki

These Polish pre-Lent doughnuts have taken on a life (and an eating contest) of their own in the United States.
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Watergate Salad
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Watergate Salad

This salad named after a scandal has been traced back to Kraft and Helen Keller.
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Jam Roly-Poly
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Jam Roly-Poly

Once steamed in shirt sleeves and pant legs, this sweet roll took on the nickname “dead man's leg.”
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Glorified Rice
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Glorified Rice

This Midwestern dessert salad draws on both Scandinavian immigrant and local Ojibwe influences.
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Nathan’s Famous French Fry Fork
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Nathan’s Famous French Fry Fork

The hot dog chain’s charming “bi-dent” picks up potatoes with ease.
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Mustache Cups
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Mustache Cups

They helped Victorian men drink tea while protecting their precious facial hair.
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Swizzle Sticks
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Swizzle Sticks

These natural cocktail stirrers sprout from the Caribbean swizzlestick tree.
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Pie Birds
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Pie Birds

To release steam, Victorian bakers placed whimsical ceramics in their pastries.
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Podstakannik
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Podstakannik

These old-school metal tea-glass holders are a fixture on Russian trains.
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Khantsi
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Khantsi

Grab life by the Georgian wine horn.
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The Boston Stabber
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The Boston Stabber

This praised oyster shucker is as elegant as it is dangerous.
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Asturian Cider Pouring
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Asturian Cider Pouring

A Spanish ritual meant to inject effervescence into a flat drink.
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Clambake
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Clambake

An ancient cooking method still produces delicious, beachside feasts.
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Snake Wine
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Snake Wine

The traditional Chinese medicine can also be deadly.
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Kopstootje
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Kopstootje

The Dutch drinking ritual begins with a glass of genever and ends with a “little head-butt.”
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Louisiana Egg Knocking
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Louisiana Egg Knocking

In small towns across the state, an Easter tradition becomes a competitive sport.
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The Christmas Pickle
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The Christmas Pickle

The holiday tradition of hiding an ornamental veggie.
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Jell-O Salad
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Prepared Foods

Jell-O Salad

Meat covered in gelatinous goo was once a classic American comfort food.
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