Lutheran sushi

Some of the wrap’s nicknames speak to that sense of humor: Iowa sushi. Lutheran sushi. Alien wieners. The last is my least favorite, but it’s alarmingly on point, and we’ve snickered about it since we were kids.

Midwesterner - Iowa’s “Lutheran Sushi” Jessica Carney 2026

Sometimes called Iowa sushi, Minnesota sushi, Midwest sushi, or Lutheran sushi, these retro roll-ups — dill pickles slathered with cream cheese, then wrapped in thin slices of deli ham or corned beef — are the kind of dish that inspires both delighted squeals and deeply confused stares.

Iowa Sushi Is the 3-Ingredient Holiday Appetizer the Midwest Swears By Food & Wine’s Editorial Guidelines 2025