5 Holiday Foods That Will Make You Question Humanity

Lutefisk — The Lye-Soaked Fish

Norwegian families eat this at Christmas. Lutefisk is dried cod soaked in lye—a chemical so caustic it can burn your skin—until it becomes jelly-like and swollen. It’s then rinsed and boiled, resulting in a fish dish with the texture of gelatin and a smell that fills the entire house. In 2019, a Norwegian food authority had to clarify regulations around serving it because of safety concerns. Families still gather every December to eat it. Some traditions are passed down with love. Others are passed down out of obligation.