 Putrefied shark meat. Sheep heads and testicles. Some of Iceland's traditional delicacies might challenge a few palates, but if you're looking for a little edible adventure, eating like a Viking just might be the way to go. Long before the days of 24-hour diners and fast-food chains, the people of Iceland couldn't just run to the convenience store or make a 3 a.m. pit stop at Taco Bell. Food options were limited in the long, cold winter, so they were eating very old food and trying to stretch it as far as they could through curing and drying. This led to some very...interesting items on the menu. Modern Icelanders tip their hat to their strong-stomached ancestors by eating some of the traditional Viking foods of yore. Many are consumed during the midwinter feasting festival of Thorrablot. The annual event celebrates Thorri, an ancient Icelandic month during the darkest days of winter. Nowadays, it's held in February. iReporter Halldor Sigurdsson of Reykjavik, Iceland, frequently gives us a glimpse into the daily lives of Icelanders. He shared photos with CNN iReport showing a Thorrablot feast he attended in which guests were excitedly diving into the boiled sheep heads on their plates. Fermented shark meat, ram's testicles, head cheese and blood pudding or sausage are just a few more of the items one might find on the menu of a typical Thorrablot feast. The foodstuffs are often cut up into marbled-looking cubes. Dried fish and other products of the sea are also popular because of the huge regional fishing tradition.
Feasters are supposed to wash down their meal with Brennivin, a signature liquor in Iceland that is also referred to as the "Black Death" due to its color. It's made from potato and caraway. On a regular day, Sigurdsson says he prefers to eat modern-style grub at a local seafood place, and he says his fellow countrymen are eating too much fast food. Still, there's always room for a traditional meal in an Icelander's stomach. Whether viewing endless vats of iced seafood at a summer festival or eating a smelly stewed fish concoction at Christmas time, there are plenty of opportunities to sample new and traditional meals alike in Iceland. Different people like different things, and it's hard to say if there's really a "good" or "bad" in the world of food. "Either you love this or hate it," he said of his stewed fish meal. "Imagine a rotten fish, and multiply that smell and taste by 97, and that is the smell and taste of this strange food." All this interesting eating is a way of giving thanks for the bounty their ancestors never knew. "In the old time, people had to use everything they could," Sigurdsson said. "Ships did not come often to Iceland." If you've been to Iceland, we're curious what you would recommend and what you've enjoyed. Share what you think a traveler should eat, and any food-related adventures you've had in the comments area below. CNN's Destination Adventure series takes a look at great places for eager explorers. Each week, we'll feature favorite regional foods, secrets from the locals and the best photos and stories from readers. Have you been to Iceland? Share your story with CNN iReport. And next week, we'll journey to Costa Rica. |
  Recent Posts
 |
 |
|
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
Minnesota Vikings
W L T
1 5 0
The seafood stew and other delights to be found at the harbor in Reykjavic are awesome. So much fresh cream in the stew. Be daring!
I've spent 80 nights in Iceland and camped every one of them. My favorite treat is the hardfiskar–dried fish. A lot of my students liked it but some were totally turned off. The lamb, salmon, and char are excellent. Surprisingly, the best hot dogs in the world are available all over the country. I've tried some of the odder delicacies but not too many. On one of my trips, an Icelander friend left some puffin fillets for my group to sample. They were very salty and fishy but edible–sort of. I also cooked cormorant eggs for breakfast in NW Iceland. They were rich and runny. Although whale meat is readily available, I am adamant about not trying it, in spite of my curiosity. I'd rather eat a whaler than a whale.
I'd love to find these type adventures for my blog – http://www.howdoyoufood.wordpress.com. My foodie friends got squeamish when I boasted about lamb heart and tongue.There are a few places in Atlanta that delve into true offal, but not to this extent.
Not all that different from haggis or lutefisk really. I think every place has a couple disgusting dishes just to show off to visitors.
I lived in Iceland in the late 60's as a preteen and went back again when I graduated from high school and would go again in a hot second if I could! Love the land and the people and some of the traditional foods. Loved the smoked lamb, big yum on the lamb hotdogs, even loved the dried fish snacks, nothing like yummy Icelandic pancakes (especially when made with fresh Kria (sp?) eggs), even ate the holiday lambs head once and not so bad as long as I didn't look at the eyes! The dairy products are wonderful - skyr, icecream, milk, butter. Loved the everyday fresh haddock with potatoes and butter we frequently had; not to mention the tasty langostinos. Back then I don't recall any pizza available there and the only 'fast food' was mostily lamb dogs and pop at a gas station somewhere and what a treat it was! Ahhh, memories!! Thank goodness, I was never subjected to the putrified shark! I did get to eat homemade blood sausage several times and liked it very much. So many other wonderful foods, drink and good times werre had there. Good memories, also, of going on long drives into the country in the summer and stopping at a lovely spot to get out spread a blanket and eat open faced sandwiches of all kinds with coffee or soda. We were so fortunate to have lived part of our time there in the upstairs half of and Icelandic family's home and so thankful for it because I was so priviledge to learn so much about the culture and lives of wonderful people and their land. That family is a much my own family even though we don't share the same blood in ours veins, I love them as though we do! I am Norwegian by ancestery and a Viking in my heart. I dearly love my country, the USA, but I would live in Iceland half of my time if I could! Any of you that ever have the opportunity to go do Iceland, DO IT! You will never regret it. Well, I guess you can tell part of my heart is still in Iceland!
Connie,
I appreciate your response! I am trying to plan a trip for summer 2013 and your comments gave me much insight.
I too am of Swedish decent and def a viking at heart. I am sure I will go there and not want to come back here
We went to a smorgasbord in Hveragerdi and were told we were there on a good night because they had fresh roast pony along with all the other meats like fish and lamb. I didn't care for the lamb but the pony was delicious. We asked how old a pony is when "harvested and were told at five months. In Stokkseyri we had a pot of boiled potatoes and lobsters and if it had been my last meal on earth I would have died a happy man.
These people clearly know what they're doing. If you're going to eat disgusting food, go ahead and eat it all at once. You don't want to eat a great tasting hamburger and chase it down with rancid milk. They probably learned this all at once method watching Fear Factor.
Well remember in china they eat cat and dog too maybe in Japan too
Interesting article, I'd love to visit Iceland. Quite a few people commented they loved the pizza there, can someone please describe it? How does it differ from, say NYC pizza? What types of toppings do they typically use? Very curious about this!
I've tried aquavit and skyr- love them!
Hate to dissapoint but the pizza here is pretty much the same as anywhere else, typical toppings like pepperoni, ham, pineapple, beef, bacon, paprika, onion, cream cheese, chicken, seafood, and a few others.
I had the best pizza I've tasted in Iceland few years ago..!
Probably thousands of years old Scandinavian food. Sheeps' heads can also be served on the Swedish island of Gotland, and what's in Icelandic called "brennivin" is called the same in other Scandinavian languages, just various spellings ("brännvin" in Swedish). It means "burning wine", either because it burns in your mouth or throat, or because the process of making it is called "burning". Strong sh*t made from potato o grain (same as vodka right?). Blood pudding can be found in any large grocery store in Sweden, and don't they also eat that in Ireland? Ireland was heavily visited by Scandinavians ("vikings") a millenia ago. (After all, Dublin was founded by vikings.)
I went to Iceland this past summer. The best food was probably the skyr, however the ice cream was pretty good, and the pizza was awesome as well. If there are any serious runners I also recommend the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon. It was the most amazing course I've ever run on. It's 55 km but the terrain you run through is indescribable. I traveled all the way around Iceland excluding the Westfjords and it was easily the most beautiful place.
I have no idea what some of these foods look or taste like and that makes me very sad. I do find that their is nothing more satisfying than a traditional cooked meal though.
First time to Europe was ICELAND and it is still my favorite. Seemed magical!
Food is politics in Iceland. Go to the N1 gas station in Egilstadir on a Friday night. Every young person from fifty miles around will be there, having hamburger and pizza, which is the real Icelandic national dish. It's a crush, but a wonderful crush. It is also one of the 3 places I found that sell licorice ice cream bars, and I did look hard. Buy the ice cream bar. Get a sandwich for take away in any small town bakery, but I really recommend the one in Husavik. The lamb is great, but not all Icelandic chefs do it justice. See if you can get it with the bilberry sauce. If not, Austur's in Reykjavik does it pretty fairly, with two rare chops on top of slow, slow cooked roast lamb, and they have this "chocolate five ways" dessert, which is not to be missed, but the very best thing was that tub of skyr I'd been packing around for a couple days, that I finished off in Stykkisholmur after stirring in a big handful of ripe wild blueberries I picked in a birch forest outside of town. Now, that is how to eat Skyr. Hmmm.... look for it, it's hard to find, but there's a thing called "lava beer" which is right up there with East German Schwarzbier, although completely different, and most reminiscent of espresso. When you find it, snap it up, because they often sell out.
Thats no big deal people around the world eat animal testicles, heads, organs and all sorts. You should not make a big deal I have tried most of them its fantastic. If you research asia, north and south americas, australia, africa and europe all eat them even today. If you ever get a chance you must try. It is my personal opinion
For me as an icelandic person,this is so embarrassing and strange ! What a bad quality video and a ridiculous Christmas scene. Never seen anything like it , reminds me of the homeless people's christmas scene I saw last year as they celebrated in a space nicer than that- and the music and food were better. Nothing like a traditional icelandic scene...
The pickled buzzard puke was awesome!
Doesn't look appetizing. Where's the nearest Tavern?
Opal Menthol Vodka Schnapps was amazing! I wish I bought a case! I really enjoyed fish stew, dried fish, and whale.
I guess that all people have ethic foods that don't appeal to the others that were not raised in that life style. Being from Southern USA I LOVE greens and grits, yet now living around Philly (Northern US) I have found, I can't stand the cheese steaks. You should see the "northern folk" look at me strange and shake their heads when I turn down that cheese wiz covered sandwich. Yes I have had it with other cheese, still don't like it. I feel the same way when I make Red Beans and Rice and my "Yankee" husband turns up his nose. So even though I can't see eating, Sheep "Parts", I guess I can't knock it till I try it. But only once and a very small bite. ;)
The Iceland hotdog is a lambdog served with a special mustard and fried onions. Natural skin gives it a pop when you bite into it. Best dog you'll ever have. Coke taste better because of the pure water. While the shark is a little pungent the chaser is a more welcomed event. The seafood, pastries, butter, yogurt, all above par. Potatoes and tomatoes are grown in greenhouses, small but delishous. Don't let this article steer you wrong. Icelandic cuisine is fantastic.
The Coke tastes better because it is made with sugar, not corn syrup. The water is not the reason.
I am from Iran and we have been eating Sheep heads and testicles since the foundation of Persian Empire 2500 years ago. So, it was very interesting and surprising to see Vikings also ate the same food as we do???!!!!!
Good point! I bet this is food people have eaten since the dawn of agriculture some 10,000 years ago. At least interesting to hear that this is eaten by other cultures speaking Indoeuropean languages.
The ancient vikings were astute business farers of the sea, trading with many conuntries in the East reaches of the Mediterranean and into the reaches of the Middle East. The high quality fur goods and bone polished adornments were unique an lush accommodations for the wealthy princes who gave much silver. The slave trade was big too.... vikings did not descriminate on who would be sold.... all brought profit. Of course vikings ate with arabs.... there was no animosity in those days.... only business. War.... women.... wampum.....
The food in Iceland is very expensive, but great. I dined on the regular foods that my hosts ate. Things like baked leg of lamb, grilled fish, hamburgers, hot dogs, skyr, and the best pizza I ever had.
That's sick!!
Jeez...Are we still in stone age??!!
No, but evidently you are with your boxed in opinions. Break loose, try something different and broaden your horizons. It won't hurt near as much as you fear.
"Acquired taste" is something I believe in. I hated Chinese food and Sashimi until about 17 yrs.. Then,
I couldn't get enough if the stuff.
Baby seal meat is the finest
I pretty much understand now why the vikings invaded other countries.
White people eat nasty stuff.
reminds me of maggots! they are white too.
Cook us up some chitlins niggy.
very unprfssional! hve so dignity about yourself...
Yeah, because those pickle pig feet and eggs black people eat in the south are just such a normal thing
Not just black folks in the South eat pickled pig's feet and pickled eggs. Some white folks like 'em, too! :-)
did an overnight in iceland. it was wonderful. the only way to describe it: it's like visiting another planet. lava fields, gysers, hot springs. and so easy to get to if you live in the northeast us.
I loved it too–pure air, pure hot springs water, and 360 degree views due to a lack of trees and tall buildings. And lots of good-looking blonde men and women.
Greek food is the best!
Ambrosia... nectar and honey the sweetest of things...
Praise my cousin Bacchus for the many wines and my aunt Aphrodite for my sweet, sweet loving ancestors and gorgeous people...
I did not have a bad meal in Iceland. Even the captive-audience places, like the only place to eat near the famous waterfall of Gullfoss, had fantastic food. I still lust after the lamb soup, the hearty toasted bread dripping with fresh butter...
I really wasn't expecting to enjoy the food, but they take it seriously.
I am Icelandic and I wouldn't touch most of the stuff mentioned in that report. However, a lot of Icelandics love it. I find it to be horrid at best. However, go get some hot dogs and enjoy them since you will never find any better anywhere in the world.
Spent a year a half in Iceland in the U.S. Navy during the early 90s. The hotdogs were really the best! Lots of good restaurants (a little too expensive for a Sailor to eat at regularly.) I was a Navy Journalist and did a news spot on "Thorrablot" where they serve the "traditional" Icelandic foods like mentioned in this article. I guess it's good to bring that stuff out once a year so you can be thankful for all the good food you eat every other day.
I was also at the Naval base during the early 90's but on the AF side of the house. I went to the Thorrablt they had at the 3 flags club but they didn't have the shark there. The lamb dogs were the best but we also liked the water and the pure and cold taste of it. Great time we had there and think of the times there often.
Jack, I lived in Iceland for almost 4 years. I still think about those lamb dogs! I'm back in California now, if anyone out there knows where I can buy that lamb and mustard please let me know!!! I've been to that festival and will never forget the horrific taste of that rotten shark and black death... Ugh.
I was stationed in Keflavik too. Best duty station ever! You can get the hotdogs and all the other goods on nammi.is. We've never ordered from it as we keep in touch with the friends we made in Iceland who visit often and bring a bit of home with them. I wish lambdogs were as common in the states as they are in Iceland.
Thanks to Halldor Sigurdsson for the fascinating report on the feast of Thorrablot. Must admit that this is probably one dinner where I would not mind being seated at the card table in the kitchen with the kids. “How about a little sheep's eye for Snoopy puppy?” Anyone traveling to Iceland should make some time to visit a shop that makes hand-woven clothes. The locals make some of the most beautiful sweaters, scarves, hats etc in the world.
We were there a year ago. Really enjoyed the Icelandic lobster and lobster bisque. Hate to say it but we also loved the hot dogs ... especially the accoutrements; potato salad, fried onions & special mustard ... cheap & delicious!
Before going there, I had read Iceland had the world's best hot dogs. Absolutely true! Not only are they wonderful, but extremely cheap & can be found at any gas station or truck stop.
Yep....they keep the hot dogs under the counter in the used oil from oil changes. Clears the meat from the fat.
The hot dogs are made out of lamb, and yes, are delicious. I was stationed there for 3 years and it's a great place... to visit.
Compared to my wife's cooking, this is fine dining.
hope that she doesn't read your comment
Icelandic Skyr is absolutely the best yogurt in the world. It comes in interesting flavors and they are all yummy. I agree, though, that one does not visit Iceland for its culinary aspects. Go visit the lava fields or Geysir or Gullfoss and then you'll be glad you went to Iceland. What a fascinating, beautiful, interesting country!
Regarding the fermented shark: it smells like the strongest old urine smell you can imagine. Will never know what it tastes like!
I'm Icelandic and I don't eat any of this stuff, except for the smoked lamb and dried fish. Not one bite of sheep head has passed my lips after I became an adult. However, the hot dogs sure are tasty. :)
I don't care how ethnocentric I'm being, #*$# that. Feel free to feel that way about any food from my home, the U.S. South.
I lived in the South for over twenty years. Great food - except the grits. Nasty.
I can handle grits, but can't stand hominy
You're probably poor, dumb and fat - but certain you're in the greatest country in the world!
Every birthday, wedding or similar traditional event ends like this in central parts of Serbia, so nothing new here. The most cherished of them all – the lamb head.
Anybody who could haggis can eat anything. (Urp)
Anybody who could EAT haggis, that is.
Right the first time. Haggis is the noise you make after.
Try whale. You'll be glad you did.
This is very similar to how food is preserved in some parts of Asia. Dried, salted, pickled, fermented. etc. Some of it is pretty good once you've acquired a taste for it. The preservation process multiplies and brings out the flavor of the food. Life's too short to eat the same boring food most people do.
I used to think I'd make a good Viking – until I read this. I will die having never (purposefully) eaten anything putrified.
Hagar the Horrible always managed to get a turkey drumstick.
James, talk to Ref- Vikings ate a lot more than strange rotted stuff. He's been recreating Viking diet by looking at archeological evidence, etc, to find out what they were eating. He has some pretty interesting findings...
That explains why the Vikings have not beem to the Super Bowl in 40 years. Hey, try pasta!
I hear you bro.I think they ate goat head instead of sheep
I'm a pretty adventurous eater but I don't think I could stomach (pun intended) this stuff.
I went there last summer and while I didn't partake of much of the traditional foods I did fall in love with the hot dogs. Holy cow! Amazing! Baejarins Beztu is the place right on the harbor in Rek. I didn't have a bad meal the whole time!
Well, the hotdogs are just the same thing but shaped into something you've been brainwashed into thinking is good.
Eating like being stranded on a cold miserable island and having to keep anything remotely edible down down regardless how disgusting if you want to make it through winter. If you want to delude yourself into considering it a delicacy, well...
Iceland is a fascinating country, but not one I would visit for the culinary delights.
If you don't support mobile video please don't show multiple links to the same site–it just wastes my time and aggravates me...
I'm a huge fan of akvavit myself, so Brennivin is right up my alley!