Anybody from Minnesota

[Connie Lea]

I havent' been on this site before. I went back about ten pages to 2006 and didn't find any reference to Minnesota. I'm from Western Minnesota - about as far west from the cities as you can get and not be in South Dakota - a very rural area. Any other Minnesotans out there.

[The_Swedish_Chef]

I am! I am! Or...I was born and raised there so of course, it stays in your heart. Grew up in Roseau, then Duluth and Da Range; down to Anoka; back to Brainerd and Duluth again. Married in Mpls. and then moved to Chicago. And now Michigan...and Chicago. Phew! Does any of that make sense? LOL

I may live in Chicago and Michigan now, but my heart and influence will ALWAYS BE BACK IN THE LAND OF THE LOONS!!!

[KayBeeOakdale]

Hi! I am from Minnesota - born & raised on the East Side of St. Paul and now reside in Oakdale, MN. Didn't move very far!! I have only posted a couple of recipes but this is my go to website to find a recipe.

[Minnesota Nice]

Born and raised Minnesota girl here living on the Iron Range.

[The_Swedish_Chef]

Minnesota Nice wrote:
Born and raised Minnesota girl here living on the Iron Range.

90% of my relatives lived in Da Range. When they came here from Sweden and Finland back in the 1800's, they were loggers and then switched to mining that rich iron ore that's now long gone. They lost over 75% of their family member's to mining accidents; the companies that owned the mines just figured that as "routine business loss". The ones that survived the mines never left that area; they loved it forever.

[Connie Lea]

Hi - all you Minnesotans. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out here in this vast wilderness - well maybe not so wild. Sorry I didn't answer before - I'm not always getting notified when replies are posted.

That's awful about 75% of your relatives lost in mining accidents. A high cost of doing business - especially for the ones involved. I'm glad your ancestors survived so that you are here.

[Minnesota Nice]

So glad that mining is a much safer profession now. My husband is in his 38th year and my father retired from iron mining.

[Sueco77]

Visit this site, it´s wonderful:
www.spanishfoodandmore.com

[The_Swedish_Chef]

Minnesota Nice wrote:
So glad that mining is a much safer profession now. My husband is in his 38th year and my father retired from iron mining.

Well, mining in the U.S. is safer, not so much around the rest of the globe. Back in the old days, immigrants were human fodder for building the U.S.: bridges, rail roads, mining, etc. You're right, Minnesota Nice...thank God for increased safety standards.

And, I sure do love your name! Anyone from Minnesota doesn't need an explanation of that one, eh?

Hey, fellow Loons---What's your favourite Casserole or Jello Salad? You know, they're Mother's Milk to us Minnesotans. LOL

For myself, Hot Tuna Casserole with Chow Mein Noodles on top (and peas, of course) and Lime Jello with Pineapple chunks.

[Minnesota Nice]

I would have to say my favorite "MN foods" are wildrice hotdish and anything made with rhubarb. Also, pasties and sarmas. Oh, and potica too. Maybe not all just MN foods, but we do love our ethnic foods here.

[The_Swedish_Chef]

Minnesota Nice wrote:
I would have to say my favorite "MN foods" are wildrice hotdish and anything made with rhubarb. Also, pasties and sarmas. Oh, and potica too. Maybe not all just MN foods, but we do love our ethnic foods here.

"Pasties, sarmas and potica"?????

What nationality are THOSE? They sure weren't served when I grew up in Minnesota. LOL We had fish, fish and more fish, hot dishes, and every kind of fruit and berry dessert...along with rhubarb! Yum!

[Minnesota Nice]

All three have been regulars in our family for years and also in our "neck of the woods". They say that years ago the wives made pasties for the miners to bring in their lunches to work. I think that sarma's may be Norwegian, but not quite sure on that.

[The_Swedish_Chef]

Interesting. I'll have to do a google search on the three things you listed. Thanks for the background info.

[Dawn in Minnesota]

'K, I'm obviously a transplant to Minnesota. I had no idea that pasties were eaten here. And hadn't heard of the other things. Intriguing.

Anyway, I'm just outside the twin cities. And while here, I've been learning to make some Moroccan food - but just since I had a hankering, not from anything local.

What are some good wild rice hotdishes?

[The_Swedish_Chef]

Well, I don't know what it's like "Back Home" any longer but when I grew up in Minnesota, folks were poor. We were all farm kids or the past generation were soldiers returning from Korea, so they had no money, either. When Wild Rice was used, it was treated like truffle oil and it was cooked and added to white rice as a real treat. So basically, any casserole that calls for white rice, can have some cooked wild rice added to it for something special.

I haven't eaten this since I was a kid but my favourite hot dish had....of course...Cream of Mushroom soup, browned hamburger, a can of mushrooms, and cooked white and wild rice, all mixed together and baked. OMG, that was such a fine dish; we'd have it with canned green beans and orange Jello with cocktail fruit inside of the Jello. Hey! I told you that I hadnt' eaten that since a kid and this was NORMAL food back then.