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In one of my previous articles I mentioned “if you like Lefse you must be Norwegian.” We all like fish but do you like Lutefisk? Better yet, do you even know what it is or how it tastes? If you know then you must be of Scandinavian heritage.
Lutefisk is caught off the shores of Norway, dried into hard slabs and then soaked later in water and lye.
Its pungent odor wafts from church basements and lodges at annual dinners during the winter months. Scandinavian Americans can hardly wait to take a bite of this time-honored tradition. We all want to hold onto a bit of our Scandinavian heritage and Lutefisk is a big part of that.
At our dinner, and in true Norwegian style, lefse, a thin potato flat bread, will be served along with parsleyed red potatoes, cucumber salad, riskrem (rice pudding) and krumkaker.
For those who do not want to try a nibble of the Lutefisk there will be delicious meatballs rolled especially for this event. Wine will also be available for purchase.
Lutefisk translates to “lye-fish.” For many years it has been a source of amusement and laughter, mainly for those who grew up holding their nose while they took a bite because of the disdainful aroma and occasionally overcooked fish.
As time went on and better cooking methods developed a newer process for making this fish was born. Basically it diminished the odor and along with a careful preparation it removed the clear Jell-O like quality for which the fish is known.
Vikings of Lake Lodge is over 100 members strong and growing. The organization uses “Heritage & Culture” nights to keep the group strong and educated to their heritage. We have guest speakers, videos, crafts, Norwegian language lessons and down home traditional meals.
Many of our events are fundraisers geared toward education. Every year we supply underprivileged Lake County students with book bags. We also send members children and grandchildren to a language and heritage camp for two weeks in July where they are taught about their heritage. Cooking, arts and crafts, and dancing are among just a few topics they learn.
Our members also travel to local schools where they present their “America Chest” program which tells about the immigrants from Scandinavia in the 1800s.
Vikings of Lake would like to thank Six Sigma Winery of Lower Lake and Langtry Estates & Vineyards of Middletown for their generous donation of the wine for the dinner.
Reservations are required to attend this dinner. The cost is $15 per adult and $6 for children under 12 years of age.
The dinner will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 14310 Memory Park Lane (cross street is Olympic Drive) in Clearlake.
Please call Carl Ingvoldstad at 707-987-2404 for reservations by Nov. 8.
For additional information or if you are interested in joining the Sons of Norway please call Vale at 707-928-1060 or Joyce at 707-998-3583.
Vale Hanzel is vice president of the Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge.
