Ellen of the singing group "The Swedish Meatballs" (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Heard the jokes about Ole and Lena who went to the annual Staten Island Heritage Fair? If not, the Sons of Norway organizers of this year’s Scandinavian celebration will deliver the punchlines gladly over crafts and traditional dishes.

Nansen’s Lodge once again plays host to the food and cultural festival on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be held under the pavilion, rain or shine, at 3465 Victory Blvd., Travis.

Carefully crafted hats and scarves: Scenes from Staten Island's annual Norwegian festival, Heritage Day, on Saturday Sept. 30, 2017, Nansen Park in Travis. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri) Staff-Shot

Food for sale includes lapskaus made with corned beef, carrots and potatoes plus Norwegian meatballs and classic American hamburgers, hot dogs and soups. A favorite station, Regina’s Waffles, returns with cardamom-scented, heart-shaped waffles pressed to order and served with ice cream or strawberries.

Cardamom waffles with ice cream and jam (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

As this event typically attracts Nordic people from around the region, bakers and cooks have amped up inventories of Swedish bread, kransekake (cookies), herring, fishballs, lingonberry everything and artisan cheeses. One cheese in particular is unique and generally considered a rarity in the States — Nokkleoist. The cow-milk sensation from Norway, borne of cumin and clove, brings a mellow, warming glow to the palate. It is sold by the block and pound at the Heritage Fair.

Nokkelost is a cow-milk cheese from Norway with flecks of cumin and hints of warm clove. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

In the non-edible department, visitors will find Scandinavian gifts, hand-made wood products and greeting cards plus jewelry, nuts, children’s toys, candles and vintage collectibles.

The fair’s chair Ruth Kornbrekke added, “Since it should be a nice day, people are invited to picnic on the lawn and enjoy the treats they purchase.”

Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.

Astrid Petersen, a chef of the Fest, with Lapskaus, a dish of corned beef, potatoes, carrots and onions. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri) Staff-Shot

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