Lutefisk......Now, there is a traditional dish that I do not understand. Having been in its presence, just once, my nostrils still burn and a gag reflex is induced by the mere recollection. I guess you acquire the taste during childhood......
What’s the problem with people who can’t deal with sill, lutefisk, sushi, sashimi, gravlax etc?
Visit some other corner of the World besides your local KFC once in your lifetime.
No, I don’t think so. “Lutefisk” is more or less tasteless. You were probably exposed to the fermented herring that is popular along the coast of northern Sweden. I use to say that I have eaten it twice in one go - first and last time.
Still, there is a reason behind it. The northern part of the Baltic has very low salinity, it is more or less freshwater. Thus, salt was expensive and frequently when people tried to store herring they had to use as little salt as possible, often too little. The result was that the fish was not properly conserved but started fermenting in the jar but poor as the people were they could not afford to throw away food and had to make the best of it.
It then became a tradition and is now mostly a cultural marker. Still, some claim to like it. They are welcome to it, we have better cuisine. Like the Swedish version of sushi, cured salmon. You should try my version... :-)