Try Adding These Uniquely Minnesotan Foods To Your Table This Holiday Season
By Betsy Rathburn|Published November 20, 2020
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
The holiday season is right around the corner, along with all the meals that come with it. But given Minnesota’s recent stay-at-home order, it may be difficult to gather for the holidays in 2020. It’s a major disappointment to be missing out on family time and holiday favorites. But there are some ways to soften the blow a little. For example, you could try making a holiday dinner of your own. Have you ever had Minnesota’s most iconic holiday foods? If not, this might be the year to try them out as you quarantine at home. It’ll give you a chance to give them a taste, perfect your recipes, and get ready for next year’s holiday season. Try adding these uniquely Minnesotan foods to your table this holiday season:
Have you heard of Minnesota sushi? Unlike its Japanese namesake, this unique appetizer contains no fish. Instead, made up of pickle spears slathered in cream cheese and rolled up in ham or turkey. Then, the roll is cut into small pieces. The dish is surprisingly good, making it a great thing to add to your stay-at-home holiday table this year. Perfect your rolling skills, and it'll be a favorite dish at next year's family meal!
If you've spent any time in Minnesota, you've likely heard the horrors of lutefisk. But how many of us have actually tried it for ourselves? This could be the year to bring this Nordic staple - made from whitefish pickled in lye - to your dinner table. Even if you hate it, it's all good. You'll be at home, and no one will be the wiser.
Here's another holiday classic that you'll find on many Minnesota dinner tables. And unlike lutefisk, it's actually welcome there. This Norwegian flatbread is often spread with butter and sugar, making a yummy sweet treat. It's easy to make it yourself if you have the tools, but you'll also have good luck finding it in many Minnesota grocery stores.
Tater tot hotdish is a year-round staple on Minnesota dinner tables. There are many recipes, most centered on cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and plenty of crispy tots. Chances are, someone in your family brings it to the table each holiday. But this might be the year to make it for yourself! No Minnesota table would be complete without it.
Remember when the New York Times said grape salad is a quintessential Minnesota Thanksgiving food, and everyone went ballistic? No one from the Land of 10,000 Lakes would ever call this dish a Minnesota classic, but there must be some reason the NYT assigned it to us, right? Either way, why not try out this alleged Minnesota favorite this year, at home, where no one can bear witness?
No Thanksgiving or Christmas table is complete without dessert. We're sure you'll have pies and cookies galore. But you could also consider adding a humble dessert bar to your spread. There are endless varieties, from fruit to chocolate and beyond, which is part of why this dessert is so great. No matter which recipe you choose, these will add the perfect dose of sweetness to your table.
Here's a hearty dish that just about everyone loves. A creamy soup loaded with veggies, Minnesota wild rice, and (if you like) chicken add up to a warm and cozy comfort meal. It's not a traditional holiday food, but it is so uniquely Minnesotan that it won't feel out of place with the rest of your holiday spread. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser, especially if you're only serving a crowd of one!
What do you think? Would you try these dishes? Are you going to celebrate the holidays at home? Let us know in the comments! Also, be sure to check out our past article about unique Minnesota holiday traditions.
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