Eskimo Icecream

For something different, I thought it'd be fun to post an Alaskan recipe.
           As a favorite of the people from New Stuyahok, this dish is referred to as "Eskimo Icecream", but the Yu'pik term is Aqutaq.You'd think that people living in Alaska would favor the warmer dishes, but this puts excitement into the villagers eyes when asked about it. And each family recipe has its own variation and popularity.
Maria, from school, loves the town's gatherings when the school cook prepares it. Kara, my cute little running friend, says her mom's Aqutaq is the best in the village. She'll bring me some when it's her birthday. Ben had a great idea of making an assignment for kids to bring in their recipes from their elders. It was the first time the students were excited about an assignment and many brought the dish in to taste.

Ben's student, Jacob

         The first time I actually saw Aqutaq was last Monday during the school's quyana night . Quyana means thank you. "You're welcome" sounds somewhat like an angry yell, and I am not quite sure how to spell that. Maybe it's, "Aang!"
Here is a picture of a dinner plate from with Aqutaq. It is in the dixie cup in the left corner.

And if you do need something to make with leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, here is one basic recipe:

Aqutaq

3 cups of Crisco, or shortening

1/2 cup water

2 cups granulated sugar

1 gallon of raw cranberries, or blueberries

Directions: Stir or whip crisco in a large bowl. Gradually add water while stirring until it is creamy and fluffy add sugar and stir more. add berries 1 to 2 cups at a time until thoroughly mixed.

You might be turned off by the amount of Crisco. It is the base of the recipe, but years ago it was made with large game or seal oil and no sugar was added just fruit. Different variations that I've heard of in New Stu is adding cold white fish and some  like to add more sugar (obviously, I would too).
So bring this to your next holiday party or suggest it as a new flavor at Diary Queen (Right, Dad?!)  

All of New Stu at the school on Monday