By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, for many of us, was round two for attendance at church lutefisk feeds the final three months of 2025. The Barnesville lutefisk and meatball feed held on Nov. 20 followed the same menu Oct. 31 at Richland Lutheran Church near Walcott, N.D.  

This writer (county correspondent) will also have lutefisk between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Viking Café in Fergus Falls. My fourth taste of lutefisk will be Christmas Eve, prepared by my wife Sharon.

Servers at Walcott and Barnesville took pride that first servings of food are “piping hot” and second helpings “are just as fresh as the first servings.” The menu at each church has not changed much over the years. Guests can still expect what church volunteers describe as “flaky lutefisk, mouthwatering meatballs and creamy hand-peeled mashed potatoes.”

You will note that the lutefisk feeds at Walcott and Barnesville, served family style, also include meatballs. It’s no surprise that many lutefisk lovers have family members who can’t stand the thought of eating even just a little lutefisk.

Some lutefisk feeds, such as Richland Lutheran Church near Walcott and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, have melted butter that can be poured over the lutefisk. I also enjoy white sauce poured over both the lutefisk and mashed potatoes at home during Christmas Eve.

Favorite methods for preparing lutefisk are placing it in the oven or boiling. The secret is not to overcook lutefisk. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.