A rare treat,though a bit strange

I really don't know what this has to do with gardening, or why I thought anyone else would be the least bit interested.Sometimes it is necessary to share a thought or two with someone else. Last night my darling bride,and I really do refer to her as such since she is, cooked up a special dinner. One which we usually get only around the holidays.Lutefisk may be a mystery to most without some scandinavian background, also to many with it.Dried cod is a staple in many countries,but I don't know of anyone else who would soak it in lye and still consider it edible.After much soaking and rinsing it starts to look like real fish,and with proper cooking becomes a tasty dish,albeit an aquired taste.Topped with melted butter,white sauce or just salt & pepper,accompanied with boiled potato and veggies, and of course the everpresent lefsa (our potato tortilla) you have a meal worthy of poetry.If perchance you boil the little fishy too long you get a pot full of the nicest fish glue, or bake it too long and end up with a little mound of translucent glop resembling celery jello . But its Tradition isn't it.Something harking back to the "old country", a bit of national heritage like Haggis and other national dishes. Hope I haven't bored too many, but it was a very memorable dinner.

Good for you... and it does sound like an acquired taste.

Sounds like a wonderful evening for you both. How special to be able to share it with someone you love Lutefisk or not, very special.

I've heard Garrison Keillor talk about lutefisk, but he makes fun of being Norwegian and from Minnesota. Do you know his show on Public Broadcasting called The Prarie Home Companion?

Ther was great exposure to the tradition of salt cod in the movie, Babette's Feast.

Balvenie, have you ever been to Poulsbo to the Viking Fest? They have a lutefisk eating contest! I have tasted it and can't honestly say it was good, but I did live to tell about it. Lefsa tho, I love that!

I'd try that dish! Balvenie...bring your wife with ya when/if ya come! We're big fish eaters!

Salt cod in Spanish is called Bacalao. in Catalan, Spain there is a dish called 'Bacalao ala Vizcaina'. the dish is cooked in tomato base sauce.

funny i was looking for recipe of Bacalao ala Vizcaina and found this link http://home.online.no/~anlun/tipi/recipes.htm , http://www.batista.org/bacalaoa.html

I sure miss lefsa, but never cared if I EVER had lutefisk...LOL

We make lefsa ever November as part of my DH's family tradition. For the last two years my DMIL and 2 of my BIL's have been here to help. We make enough to serve for Thanksgiving and freeze several pakages so we can enjoy it the rest of the year. But there is nothing like fresh warm lefsa hot off the grill with a little butter and sugar sprinkled on it. My DMIL has promised me the lefsa rolling pin when she passes on. Not that I look forward to her passing but feel honered that I will inherrit the family pin. I have been instructed my her to carry on the tradition in her absence. She is such a dear sweet lady and I love her dearly. Not too many people feel that way about their In-laws.

Frankay, Garrison Keillor is one of my favorite people to listen to at night before I go to bed. He has the most soothing voice and such a wonderful since of humor. I just can't get enough of him. Just love him.

Round these parts, lefse and lutefisk dinners are still common in the winter. 'Specially the lefse. They're very similar to the dutch pancakes I make. Yum! Yum! (Don't pass the lutefisk - I'll barf!)

MaVie, it's funny you brought it up, but I had been craving the Bacalao a la Vizcaina for a while (my mom used to make it) and just got around to cooking up a batch a few days ago!

I had a strange thing happen while making it and posted about it here: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/466905/