Rutabagas are no longer grown in the town of Askov, Minnesota, which was founded by Danish immigrants in the early 1900’s.  But that’s no reason to stop the annual Askov Fair and Rutabaga Festival.  Who knew the rutabaga was so versatile?  Have you ever tried rutabaga spice cake, rutabaga souffle, or rutabaga pudding?  You may well have had pasties, which are probably rutabagas’ biggest claim to fame in the U.S.  We don’t know if you can get these dishes at the festival, but recipes for these and more can be found at the festival’s website.

The festival schedule notes: “Æbleskiver & Rutabaga Sausage serving begins” at 1:00 pm Friday and 8:00 am Saturday. Æbleskiver are spherically shaped pancakes about the size of a cue ball.  The rest of that listing, we’re not so sure about.  Is there really such a thing as rutabaga sausage?  Or are they saying that they will be serving rutabaga and sausage?  You’ll have to go to find out.  We hear that a cafe in town also whips up a mean rutabaga malt.

What else goes on at the fest?  Music, bingo, the crowning of Miss Askov (formerly Miss Rutabaga), a parade, dancing, fireworks, a pancake and sausage breakfast, and more.  See the festival website for info.