By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

A few residents of Otter Tail County, for the third time in 2024, enjoyed lutefisk. 

For this writer, the first time was the late October 2024 lutefisk feed near Walcott, North Dakota, followed by a lutefisk lunch at the Viking Café in Fergus Falls and a Christmas Eve lutefisk feed prepared by my wife, Sharon,

Lutefisk feeds usually include the tasty Scandinavian fish along with mashed potatoes, vegetables, lefse and melted butter. It was especially nice to see people enjoying lutefisk between Thanksgiving and Christmas in many areas of Otter Tail County.

Throughout the fall and early winter, lutefisk lunches and suppers are hosted by many churches and restaurants. These lutefisk feeds have for many years drawn an older crowd. However, some lutefisk lovers see younger people developing an appreciation for what many describe as a love-it-or-leave-it delicacy.

Many who say they did not like lutefisk as kids came to appreciate lutefisk as adults. This is the case for me, the son of the late Roy and Claire Hintgen of Fergus Falls who also enjoyed the taste of lutefisk.

Cooked correctly, lutefisk is soft and flaky. Overcooked, it quickly gels

Much of today’s lutefisk is really ling, a cousin of the cod. Ling processes easier and produces a whiter meat, which Americans prefer.

Richland Lutheran Church near Walcott, in recent years, annually ordered 950 pounds of fish for close to 1,000 lutefisk lovers, 4,000 pieces of lefse, 600 pounds of hand-peeled potatoes, 400 pounds of ground beef for meatballs, 140 pounds of cabbage for coleslaw, 65 pounds of cranberries, 80 pounds of sugar and lots of butter.