Legend of lutefisk lives on despite enduring ‘yuck’ factor

The Washington Times ^ | 27 December 2012 | AP

[COBOL2Java]

Chris Dorff, president of Olsen Fish Co. in Minneapolis, holds pieces of dried ling cod from Norway before it is made into lutefisk. While America’s foodie culture has inspired a new generation of chefs who have created gourmet delicacies from ethnic food traditions, lutefisk — a dried white cod reconstituted in caustic chemicals — is one heritage dish that has remained stubbornly unimproved.(Associated Press)

---

LITCHFIELD, Minn. — Dozens of Minnesota Scandinavians and the people who love them flock to the VFW Club in Litchfield every Thursday from November through January, where $20 will get you a big steaming hunk of the frequently mocked fish dish known as lutefisk. It comes with meatballs, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and the potato flatbread known as lefse — all of which helps to make up for the dubious entree.

“Butter helps it slide down your throat,” said Dennis Voss, the husband of a Norwegian-American, revealing his own survival secret for stomaching the gelatinous blob as they dined with friends on lutefisk amid a bustling lunchtime crowd.

America’s rising foodie culture has inspired a new generation of chefs and adventurous eaters who have mined ethnic and antiquated food traditions to create gourmet delicacies. Even Scandinavian cuisine, not usually considered the most savory, is sharing the spotlight. It is winning plaudits at restaurants from Minneapolis’ nationally recognized Bachelor Farmer to Copenhagen’s world-renowned Noma, where globe-trotting diners wait months for reservations.

Lutefisk is prepared for packaging at the Olsen Fish Co. processing plant in Minneapolis. The fish — dried white cod reconstituted in caustic chemicals — lives on despite derision where people of Scandinavian descent are numerous. (Associated Press)

[rmlew]

Lutfisk with cranberries. What kind of barbarians are these. It's peas or at least lingonberries.
I'm kidding. I've tried the stuff and still wretch thinking about it. Her I can't stand herring.

[this_ol_patriot]

Canned oysters, sardines, and Limburger cheese.

That's excellent New Years Eve fare, throw in some blind robins and pumpernickel bread and you have a deal.