REFLECTIONS

There’s no in-between!

People either love it or hate it.

We are talking about LUTEFISK. People were dancing in the streets when they learned that the First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner was returning after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19.

The 2022 date for lutefisk in Blooming Prairie will be Saturday, Oct. 15. Three seatings will be offered: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., or 1 p.m.

Pre-payment is required for dining room seating and take-out. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales begin on Sept. 15 and will be available until sold out. Each meal costs $23. No walk-ins.

Reservations can be made online starting Sept. 15 at firstlutheranbp.com/lutefisk-dinner/ or by calling the church office at 507-583-6621. Messages left will not count as reservations. Office hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 8 am. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It’s our volunteers who make lutefisk returning every year,” remarked Ruth Earl, chair. “They like what they are doing, and they are good at it,” she added.

The menu will include:

• Lutefisk and lefse
• Swedish meatballs
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Buttered corn
• Cranberry salad
• Norwegian pastries

Here are some quantities from the last dinner in 2019:

Lutefisk: 1,250 lbs.

Meatballs: 224 lbs. of mixture of ground beef (168) and pork (56)

Potatoes:  800 lbs.

Cranberry salad: 84 lbs. of cranberries

Corn: 48 gallons, 3 containers left over

Lefse: 1,120 rounds in quarters, or 4,480 pieces of lefse

Butter: 216 lbs.

Desserts: rosettes (1,900), krumkake (1,400)

To get everyone in the mood once again, we print “O Lutfefisk!” The tune is the German folk song, “O Tannenbaum,” with lyrics adapted by the late humorist Red Stangeland:

1. O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk, how fragrant your aroma,

O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk, you put me in a coma.

You smell so strong, you look like glue,

You taste just like an overshoe,

But lutefisk, come Saturday,

I tink I eat you anyvay

2. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, I put you in the doorvay.

I wanted you to ripen up just like they do in Norvay.

A dog came by and sprinkled you.

I hit him with my overshoe.

O lutefisk, now I suppose

I'll eat you while I hold my nose.

3. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, how well I do remember.

On Christmas Eve how we'd receive our big treat of December.

It wasn't turkey or fried ham.

It wasn't even pickled Spam.

My mother knew there was no risk

In serving buttered lutefisk.

4. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, now everyone discovers

That lutefisk and lefse make Norvegians better lovers.

Now all the world can have a ball.

You're better than that Geritol.

O lutefisk, with brennevin [Norwegian brandy]

You make me feel like Errol Flynn.

5. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, you have a special flavor.

O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, all good Norvegians savor.

That slimy slab we know so well

Identified by ghastly smell.

O Lutefisk, O lutefisk,

Our loyalty won't waver.