SONS OF NORWAY EVENT TODAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

Lutefisk - will it produce an Edvard Munch’s Norwegian scream out of you? 

By Rebecca J. Williamson

February 16, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- “Strange, one of a kind, unique; a very different kind of food,” said a native Norwegian and former President of the House of Norway in Balboa Park—Eugenie King. 

King, a Spring Valley resident, laid out the fundamentals of this Nordic delicacy. “It’s a fish, cod, which is soaked in lye.”

Lutefisk is a dish that is seriously prone to having jokes made about it such as it’s like eating frozen Vaseline. There are poems, songs, and references to its smell, which is not Juicy Couture perfume. 

An opportunity to be Viking brave and try this unique food is coming up at the Sons of Norway – Valhall Lodge, located on Tommy Drive near Grossmont Collge, today, from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $18 at the door or you can visit their website at www.lodgeofvalhall.com  to obtain more details.

“It’s funny because it is eaten more in the U.S. than in Norway,” King said of the Lutefish, “although among the younger generation in Norway it is becoming more popular. “

Places like Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin all have lutefisk dinners regularly and it is quite popular.

The Sons of Norway will be offering another lutefisk dinner in the fall besides the one they typically host in February.

The Cooking Channel saw fit to visit the Sons of Norway-Valhall  Lodge to showcase another Norwegian food, lamb and cabbage, previously. 

Also on the menu for the annual lutefisk dinner are  meatballs, lefse, pickled beets, peas, and for dessert – Krumkake with jam and whipped cream.

Krumkake, which looks like a waffle cone cookie, has been a Christmas favorite in many houses in the Midwest.

Eating the worm from the bottom of a tequila bottle, trying Asian fried insects, or eating a Scottish Haggis would not quite fall in the same camp of eating lutefisk.  Or maybe it would, but never-the-less it should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

Show your Viking side or be an honorary Viking – eat lutefisk.  Will it produce an Edvard Munch’s Norwegian scream out of you?