Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Lutefisk | Login/Join |
Foregoing Vacation to Post |
I’ve been invited to a holiday dinner at a former coworker’s house. One of the courses being served is lutefisk. I’ve never tasted lutefisk before. I know that it’s cod that’s been soaked in lye which is poisonous but the lye is rinsed off before consumption. My question is: So how safe is it to eat lutefisk? Of course, I don’t have to eat it. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a supermarket carry it. Could it be because supermarkets are afraid of liability lawsuits if someone gets ill so they don’t carry it? Even if the cod is rinsed off, you can’t get all the lye out. Surely some of the lye was absorbed into the cod’s tissues. | ||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity  |
I’ve never eaten lutefisk, so I can’t answer your question, but I can understand your concern! I had fugu (blowfish) once, which is also poisonous if not prepared right. I don’t know that I’d eat it again…
| |||
|
Has Achieved Nirvana |
The cod isn't just rinsed, it's soaked for several days, maybe four or five. It brings down the pH of the fish and makes it (theoretically) edible. I've never had it, so I can't comment on how it tastes. Some of these fish dishes sound awful, but are actually quite good. A Door County fish boil comes to mind! I doubt that a liability issue prevents markets from selling it. It's a specialty food item with the target audience being people of Scandinavian descent. I haven't heard of any Minnesotans biting the dust after eating lutefisk... I'm guessing there's probably someplace in Andersonville where you can buy the preserved cod at a market, or get the prepared lutefisk, at a restaurant. A Chicago lutefisk story: https://www.chicagotribune.com...-20111222-story.html
| |||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity |
This is an important detail. Several people die in Japan every year from eating blowfish, usually when it’s been prepared at home or by someone without a license. (Japanese law specifies that only those certified can prepare and serve it). Although every now and then you’ll hear of someone dying after eating it prepared by a licensed chef. I don’t think this is an issue with lutefisk.
| |||
|
| Has Achieved Nirvana |
Here's a FB post from Tre Kronor, a Swedish restaurant in the aforementioned Andersonville. Looks like at least a few years ago, lutefisk was part of their holiday Julbord menu. https://www.facebook.com/TreKr...s/10158701382398486/ So I'd say go for it! And let us know what you thought of it! eta: BTW, lye isn't poisonous, it's a strong base that burns flesh if it’s sufficiently concentrated. This Wiki entry talks about its use in food, along with other uses like cleaning. Guess you could compare it to vinegar. There are 10 percent cleaning vinegars, and the 5 percent version we all use for cooking. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lye
| |||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity |
I guess I didn’t realize that. QL, you shouldn’t it!! 
| |||
|
| "I've got morons on my team." Mitt Romney Minor Deity  |
SK, Isn't there a farmed Fugu that doesn't have the deadly toxins in the liver? Maybe it's no fun to eat the "tame" variety. Maybe the whole point is playing Japanese roulette! | |||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity |
P*D, I’ve never heard of that, and neither has Mr. SK. That doesn’t mean much though! Although he did point out that there are so many different kinds of subvarieties of fish that it wouldn’t be surprising. I’m sure part of it is the danger, at least for many people.
| |||
|
| Has Achieved Nirvana |
Farmed fugu. I had no idea. https://thefishsite.com/articl...ugu-farming-in-japan I’d still rather take a chance on the lutefisk. 
| |||
|
| Foregoing Vacation to Post |
Lysol = Lyesol? So that’s where the name Lysol came from. LOL. Lye is sodium hydroxide and It’s used both in Lysol disinfectant and lutefisk in different concentrations. For lutefisk, it’s more water than lye. I’ll decide when I get there whether or not I want to be an adventurous eater concerning the lutefisk although I’m sure everything will be fine. According to wiki: “Sodium hydroxide is lye, or caustic soda, used in homemade soap and professional products.” | |||
|
Has Achieved Nirvana |
Lye is used in the processing of many different foods, including olives, ramen noodles, and hominy. From the Wiki:
I'd try it. I may not like it but I have confidence that it won't kill me. That which doesn't kill me...
| |||
|
Minor Deity |
If you like ammonia, you'll like lutefisk.
| |||
|
| Has Achieved Nirvana |
All things lutefisk: https://www.mashed.com/197530/...actually-taste-like/
| |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|