Lutefisk was created as a way to preserve fish, prior to refrigeration. The cod was dried on outdoor racks. Then, to make it expand, it was soaked in water and then in lye, which was made out of wood ash.
What is lutefisk made out of?
cod
Lutefisk is made from dried whitefish — usually cod— which has been rehydrated in baths of lye and cold water. The cook just has to heat and serve. Lutefisk is famous for being terrible, and jokes about it are prevalent among Scandinavian-Americans.
What is lutefisk taste like?
Generally speaking, people say lutefisk tastes mildly fishy, with a soapy aftertaste and a hint of ammonia on the palate, though there seems to be a lot of variation of its description based on whether people are fans of the stuff or not.
Is lutefisk a Minnesota thing?
But annual lutefisk dinners held between October and February at Lutheran churches around the state are very real. They epitomize a comfort food experience, as well as Scandinavian tradition in small-town Minnesota.
Why is lutefisk eaten?
Whatever its origins, Scandinavians have eaten lutefisk for centuries. Preserved cod provided protein during the long winter months for generations of families in a part of the world with a strong tradition of fishing. Lye was used for making soap and preserving food.
Is lutefisk still soaked in lye?
Lutefisk (pronounced LEWD-uh-fisk) is dried cod that has been soaked in a lye solution for several days to rehydrate it. It is rinsed with cold water to remove the lye, then boiled or baked, and then served with butter, salt, and pepper. The finished lutefisk usually is the consistency of Jello.
Why do they Soak fish in lye?
The lye breaks down the protein in the fish into amino acids that are easily absorbed by the small intestine. Usually ingested proteins need to be broken into amino acid molecules in the stomach. It’s because of this protein breakup that lutefisk acquires its characteristic gelatinous, jelly-like texture.
Who eats the most lutefisk?
Scandinavian Americans
A 2005 survey found 20% of Norwegians ate lutefisk during the Christmas holiday season, although only 3% would consider it for their Christmas dinner. Far more lutefisk is consumed in the United States than in Scandinavia, much of it by Scandinavian Americans in Lutheran churches and fraternal lodges.
How do you eat lutefisk?
The Scandinavian feast, with boiled, baked and deep-fried lutefisk, as well as lefse and potatoes. Pieces of lutefisk, ready to be dropped into boiling water. Boiled lutefisk is the traditional way to eat the fish. Seasoned lutefisk before being baked in the oven.
What do you drink with lutefisk?
Lutefisk is traditionally served with boiled potatoes, mashed green peas and fried bacon. A dry white wine with good acidity will work best. Wine is relatively new in Norway, so the traditional, viking drink is beer and Aquavit.
Do Norwegians still eat lefse?
In Norway, lefse of both the sweet and savoury variety are available in all Norwegian supermarkets.
What is Norwegian dried fish called?
Stockfish is unsalted fish, especially cod, dried by cold air and wind on wooden racks (which are called “hjell” in Norway) on the foreshore. The drying of food is the world’s oldest known preservation method, and dried fish has a storage life of several years.
How do you pronounce lutefisk in Norway?
The article about Lutefisk claims: “Lutefisk (prounounced loo-te-fisk) is a well-known food of Norway and Sweden (prounounced loo-ta-fisk)which consists of white fish (normally Cod) soaked in lye as a preservative, then dried until it hardens.
Can dogs eat lutefisk?
The lutefisk version made from wild Alaska cod trimmings of skins & bones are sustainably Alaskan. Drool Central’s Lot O’Fiske got raves from both dogs and cats. This dog treat recipe is a single ingredient dog treat homemade dried wild Alaska cod.
Can you eat lye?
Swallowing sodium hydroxide may cause severe burns in the mouth, throat and stomach. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms of eating or drinking sodium hydroxide may include bleeding, throwing up or diarrhea. A drop in blood pressure may also occur.
What fish do Scandinavians eat?
The main sources of protein in the Nordic diet are oily fish, such as Norwegian salmon, mackerel, and herring. These contain both protein and essential fatty acids that are important for heart health. Lean protein such as chicken can also take its place as long as decent quantities of oily fish are included.
What does Rakfisk taste like?
But once diners get past the smell, the taste of rakfisk is actually mild, slightly salty, and a bit tangy. Always eaten raw, it’s typically sliced and served with lefse (flatbread), red onions, sour cream, potatoes, and occasionally a mustard-dill sauce.
Where did lefse originate?
Norway
Lefse
| Lefse on a griddle | |
|---|---|
| Type | Flatbread |
| Place of origin | Norway |
| Main ingredients | Flour with or without potato; milk or cream |
| Media: Lefse |
Is lutefisk the same as salt cod?
Salt cod, which is basically codfish cured in salt and then dried, is similar in concept but has a couple key differences. Lutefisk is dried to be preserved because salt simply wasn’t in abundance in Scandinavia. Another major difference is that the salt cod is not reconstituted in lye.
Do you eat lefse warm or cold?
Make Ahead: The potato mixture needs to be refrigerated overnight (and up to 2 days). Make the dough just before you cook it. The lefse are best served fresh and warm, but they can be wrapped between layers of plastic wrap and refrigerated for a few days or frozen for longer-term storage.
What does lefse taste like?
It tastes like home. If it’s made correctly (like grandma taught you), it practically melts in your mouth, and you just can’t get enough. For those of Norwegian descent, lefse is anything but bland – it’s full of flavor from the love and tradition that goes into making it.