Minnesota Unique Facts and Trivia. (Dakota: home, move, land)

[knke0204]

Anyone have anything? At work we have factoids and trivia everyday for fun. I have dropped a few interesting ones recently about MN and the co-workers want more!

Like...

The land that makes up minnesota was once owned by 3 different Countries at the same time - USA, Great Britian, and France

or...

Minnnesota has more boats per capita than anyother state..

or..

Minnesota has more shoreline than California and Florida combined

or...

MOA has more visitors than Disneyland, Disneyworld, and SeaWorld combined.

Stuff like that!

Thanks!

[judlee]

Here are a few:

The origin of the name, Minnesota, is from a Dakota Indian word meaning “sky-tinted water.”

The highest point in Minnesota is Eagle Mountain - 2,301 feet (701 m) above sea level

The lowest point in Minnesota is nearby - 602 feet above sea level at Lake Superior

Number of recreational boats per capita: one boat per every six people, more than any other state.

Number of individuals who go fishing: 2.3 million

Minnesota has the northernmost town in the contiguous 48 states: Angle Inlet, Minnesota at 49.22° North latitude.

[knke0204]

Very nice, very nice.

[Astron1000]

The Twin Cities are home to 17 Fortune 500 Companies (ranking 6th nationally). That's more than Atlanta, Washington DC, Detroit or Philadelphia.

It's also home to the 2nd-largest private company in the world, Cargill.

[Kebinminn]

You can always teach them about lutefisk.

[judlee]

OK: Basic Information About The Preparation of Minnesota Lutefisk Recipes

Lutefisk is a traditional dish of the Nordic countries made from air-dried whitefish and soda lye. In Norway and Sweden, it is called lutfisk, while in Finland it is known as lipeäkala. Its name literally means "lye fish", owing to the fact that it is made with caustic soda or potash lye.

I have been told many times that "lutefisk is really good if you know how to cook it." Since most of the Minnesota lutefisk recipes I have been served were mushy--more like a "fish pudding" and not at all appetizing I can attest that is true. Lutefisk purchaed in the U.S. has been rehydrated and must therefore be cooked carefully so that it does not fall into pieces.

Properly prepared lutefisk should remain firm and look like what you see in the photo.

Lutefisk does not need any additional water for the cooking; simply place it in a pan, (do not use an aluminum pan as the lye in the fish will discolor the pan)salt it, seal the lid tightly, and let it steam-cook at very low heat for 20–25 minutes.

You can also make a traditional Minnesota lutefisk recipe in your oven. Place the fish in an ovenproof dish, cover with aluminium foil, and bake at 225 °C (435 °F) for 40–50 minutes.

Another option is to parboil the lutefisk. Wrap the lutefisk in cheesecloth and gently boil until tender. This usually takes a very short time, so watch the fish and remove it before it begins to fall apart.

Toppings vary from bacon or pork drippings, white sauce, mustard sauce, or melted butter which is our favorite, and most traditional, way to top the lutefisk.

Boiled and steamed potatoes, stewed whole, and green peas are a traditional "must" as vegetable accompaniments or side dishes. The one other "necessary" addition is some lefse, or flatbread.

In some parts of Northern Norway, lutefisk is served with melted goat cheese.

[marmac]

Minnesota sure has a lot of cities / towns that share the same name as a county, yet are not located in the county they share a name with ( many times not even near that county)

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by Astron1000

It's also home to the 2nd-largest private company in the world, Cargill.

Is this in the world or US? I read somewhere that Koch Industries of Wichita, KS overtook Cargill's position as largest privately held company in the US, not sure how the two giants stack up against the rest of the world.