Lutefisk - Origin

Origin

The origin of lutefisk is unknown. Legends include the accidental dropping of fish into a lye bucket or sodden wood ash containing lye under a drying rack. Another claims the practice enabled storing fish outdoors. Cold temperature acted as a preservative and the lye deterred wild animals from eating the fish. However, using lye to soften a hard, indigestible base is used to prepare other foods such as hominy.

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