Autaq - Eskimo Ice Cream

[kaci]

Autaq - Eskimo Ice Cream


Akutaq Recipe

This was a very hard recipe to record, as each family usually has its own version and usually has never written it down in an actual recipe. They generally just make it from memory and feel. After reading several descriptions on how to make Akutaq, I came up the the following recipe. I have never, personally, made the following recipe.

The type of fat used determines how the Akutaq will taste and feel, as each animal has a different type of fat. Well-aged yellow fat is usually preferred because it has more flavor and whips up fluffier than does fresh fat. The ice cream can also be sweetened with sweetener or with fruits. Meat and fish Akutaq are not usually sweetened.

1 cup reindeer, caribou, or moose fat (back fat)
1 cup seal oil, divided
1/2 cup water or 2 cups loose snow
4 1/2 cups fresh berries (blueberries, cloudberries, cranberries, salmonberries, or blackberries)


Grate or grind fat into small pieces. In a large pot over low heat, add fat
and stir until it becomes a liquid (the fat should never get hotter than it
is comfortable to your hand). Add 1/3 cup seal oil, mixing until it is all
liquid. Remove from heat and continue stirring the fat in big circles.

While continuing to stir at a steady rate, add 1/4 cup water or 1 cup snow
and another 1/3 cup seal oil. As fat slowly cools and starts to get fluffy
and white, add remaining 1/4 cup water or 1 cup snow and remaining 1/3 cup
seal oil, continuing to stir.

When the Akutaq is as white and fluffy as you can make it, fold in berries.
Form into desired shape.

Cover and freeze to firm up.



Modern Eskimo Ice Cream

1 cup solid vegetable shortening* 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water, berry juice, or
2 cups loose snow (optional) 4 cups fresh berries, (blueberries,
cloudberries, cranberries, salmon berries, or blackberries)

* Crisco solid vegetable shortening is preferred

In a large bowl, cream vegetable shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add
water, berry juice, or snow and beat until well combined. Fold in berries, 1
cup at a time, until blended.

Place in freezer to firm up before serving.