Icelandic national dishes in English. National cuisine of Iceland

It's hard to believe, but the most favorite restaurant of many Icelanders is an ordinary hot dog tent! Although today the hot dog has already become an international dish and is present in the diet of many nations, it is the Icelanders who are very proud of their version of the dish, which they call pulsa.

In addition to rolls and sausages, ketchup is added to the dish, sweet mustard, fried onion, raw onion And mayonnaise sauce remoulade To try the traditional pulsa, you need to ask the seller in the hot dog stand to add everything that is to ordinary bun and sausage.

Boiled salted fish

Another national dish of Icelandic cuisine is boiled salted fish with hamsatolg. Hamsatolg is sheep fat that was first melted, then returned to a solid state and melted again. It doesn't sound very appetizing, however, most Icelandic families cook this dish at least once a month and find it delicious.

Jonas noted that he never even thought about the absurdity of pouring sheep fat on fish until one of the foreigners pointed it out to him. The best place to try this delicacy is definitely the home of a local resident, as restaurants rarely offer this dish to guests.

boiled sheep head

The classic Icelandic dish also includes boiled sheep's head, which is usually served with mashed potatoes or beets. The history of the appearance of such a dish is quite simple: in early times, the life of the Icelanders was harsh, and in the conditions of a lack of meat, the inhabitants cooked every part of the animal.

Boiled sheep's eyes are considered a special delicacy among older Icelanders. One of the best places, where you can try a boiled sheep's head, according to Jonas, small restaurant BSI - Fljott og Gott at the Reykjavik bus station.

Skyr

Skyr has been an important part of Icelandic cuisine for centuries. Basically it's sour. milk product similar to yogurt, but not. Formally, the product refers to soft cheese, but the composition is not as important as the way this dish is served.

Skyr has a high nutritional value, it is rich in proteins, calcium and various vitamins. The product can be found in any Icelandic supermarket, and now they even produce versions with different flavors.

Plokkfiskur

An unusual Icelandic dish is plokkfiskur, which translates as "fish puree", although, in fact, it is just finely chopped stewed fish. Historically, this was a kind of leftovers: on Monday, Icelanders cooked and ate fish, and on Tuesday, they served what was left of the fish the day before for breakfast.

Traditionally served with potatoes and dark rye bread, it is also a meal best enjoyed when visiting locals. Perhaps the local fish restaurants serve it, but Icelanders never eat this dish in restaurants, so the waiters may be surprised by such an order from a local resident.

“What is Icelandic cuisine like?” Icelandic cuisine hasn't changed much since the Vikings, though of course the chefs have become more inventive over the years. Icelandic cuisine includes such dishes as lamb, potatoes, fish and other seafood.

Rich in seafood. And how without them, if surrounded by Arctic waters. There you can try cod, haddock, anglerfish, herring, stingray, lobster and salmon.

Minke whales are picked up on the fly, though many visitors refuse to taste the whale meat. Stripes can be seen on the menu of all establishments in the form of kebabs, steak or ahi tuna steak.

The Icelanders say that the minke whale is not an endangered species, but some visitors claim that the minke whale is a whale and refuse the dish. But some say, "I'll try just once" - sounds, of course, like a reasonable explanation.

I would not say that whaling is done here. A cook in Iceland suggested that we try this dish, which we did. The taste is somewhere between tuna and beef. But in fact, the taste of the dish depends on how it was prepared.

The dish can be served overcooked or tough, requiring a lot of chewing, but tastes like oily fish. We tried this dish in a fish shop in Reykjavik. The striped has a very delicate fragrance and a red, almost purple core. That's all for whale meat.

Skyr

Let's move on to something more interesting: Skyr! Skyr! In fact, skyr is not a fatty product. This fermented milk product, resembling yogurt (actually it is not yogurt, but soft cheese). Skyr is very healthy and nutritious. It's thick creamy yogurt reminiscent of the taste Greek yogurt, sour cream and soft ice cream.

Icelanders eat skyr always and everywhere: for breakfast and snacks. Also, skyr can be drunk (there is skyr in the form of a drink), it is eaten instead of sauce (skyr nice), or as sweet stuffing for dessert. Skir has also been known to be thrown into the Houses of Parliament during protests or in nightclubs. Is there anything that Skyr can't do?

Hotdog or pylsa

Another Irish bjudo is the hot dog or "pyls". Why is everyone obsessed with Irish hot dogs? Isn't that just a hot dog? Regular hot dog with pork, beef and lamb. Availability beef meat gives an unusual flavor. And even the aroma of seasonings is not able to beat off the smell of beef. Without a doubt, it was the fastest hot dog I have ever eaten.

The most famous pylsa shop is located opposite the harbor in the center of Reykjavik. It is called "Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur", which means "town best hot dogs". It is better to order "eina með öllu" (regular hot dog), it includes: sweet Chinese mustard, ketchup, onion, deep fried onion, and savory spicy sauce. You can also order a Clinton hot dog.

It was named after President Clinton, thanks to his simple order in 2004. His simple order was ridiculed in all the local newspapers (well, how can you order a hot dog without fried onion?).

Lamb is a special ingredient in Icelandic hot dogs, and one of the greatest causes of culinary pride.

The Icelanders will tell you that their lamb is the best in the world. And indeed it is. Probably because they let their sheep roam the highlands, juicy green grass before corralling them in the winter. The result is luxurious, tender meat with pleasant aroma.

One evening, with one of the guys we tried lamb in Reykjavik. He said his mom's lamb recipe was the best before he tried the lamb here.

National cuisine Iceland has a lot in common with Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Baltic cuisines. Its roots go back to the Middle Ages. The recipes of national dishes have not changed for many centuries and are distinguished by their originality, and unusual taste. local cuisine it is difficult to call famous and popular. Nowhere in the world can you find chains of Icelandic cafes and restaurants. But, it is this fact that attracts gourmet tourists to Iceland even more. Only while in the country, you can taste the real masterpieces of Icelandic cuisine.

Iceland is an island state, so it is not surprising that the basis of the diet is fish and seafood. Shrimps are used for cooking scallops, halibut, shark meat, cod, salmon, salmon, herring. The most unusual and top dish is "hakarl". This is rotten shark meat with a specific smell, which, before getting on the table, goes out for six months and decomposes in the sand. Of course, such a dish, "with a smell", is not always suitable for the pampered stomachs of Europeans. But, for lovers of the exotic and gourmets, the best can not be imagined.

• "gravlax" - marinated salmon with dill;
• Hardfiskur is the common name for fried or dried fish;
• "sild" - pickled herring with spices;
• « pickled seal fins”;
• "whale meat patties";
• "fish soup made from flounder or catfish";
• "cod cheeks";
• "salted salmon";
• "seal meat";
• "baked trout".

All local delicacies have a common name - " torramatur".

No less exotic, in the cuisine of Iceland, meat dishes which not only surprise, but sometimes shock tourists. What is it worth, such a popular Icelandic dish as:
"certificate". This is a boiled or pickled sheep's head, which was previously scorched and sawn in half. Also, try:

• "blakia" - meat kebab, fried to coals;
• "Slatur" - sheep offal, sewn into the stomach;
• "Hangikyot" - smoked lamb;
• "khrutspungur" - pickled eggs young lamb, which, before serving, put under pressure and turn into a kind of cookie.

In addition to lamb, horse meat, elk, reindeer and white partridge meat are popular. Interesting fact: the import of meat is prohibited in the country, so that the locals do not pick up a foreign infection.

Another interesting element of Icelandic cuisine is “ volcanic bread« . It is baked in those places where active volcanoes warm up the upper layers of the soil. The dough is placed in metal mold and left in the ground for 10-12 hours. In addition, other dishes are prepared in such natural ovens. It is worth trying "kleinur" - soft Icelandic brushwood.

Also, the national Icelandic treat is "skir « . It is a fermented milk product similar to yogurt. Served with cream, ice cream, oatmeal, honey and wild berries. Skyr is homemade and factory. You can buy it in all local supermarkets and grocery stores.

Characters:
The British Empire - a population of about 51 million people, a nuclear state.
Iceland - a population of about 300 thousand people, no army.
NATO is an alliance that includes both Britain and Iceland.
Other countries - the USSR, the FRG, the USA and others. The first act. 1958 Iceland. I need cod.
Other countries. You have 4 miles around your, uh, islet, so catch yourself there.
Iceland: I need more cod.
(*Iceland claims it now owns all of the 12 miles of maritime territory around the island*)
Other countries (in chorus). Don't fuck yourself!
Iceland (gently). Cod, cod, my cod ...
Britannia. Hey you…
Iceland (corrects). You.
Britannia. Hear you. I used to fish with you, and I will continue to fish. Is the hint clear?
Iceland. U#bu.
Britain (shocked): What?!
Iceland: U-#-boo.
Britain: I have a nuclear weapon.
Iceland. You won't hit me.
Britannia. I have a fleet.
Iceland. Soon you will remember how nice it was to talk about your fleet in the present tense.
Britannia. You have less population than I have sailors in the navy!
Iceland. Nothing. Cod will get fatter on English meat.
Britannia. Oh you…
(*British fishermen continue to fish for cod in Icelandic waters*)
Iceland (thoughtfully). U#bu.
(*Icelandic Coast Guard surrounds British ships and cuts their trawls*)
Britannia (choking on tea with milk). Yes, you have lost weight!
Iceland (in a pleased voice). Oh, finally Britain speaks "you" to Iceland.
Britannia. I need cod!
Iceland. No. Iceland needs cod and Soviet Union. Hey Union, do you want some fish?
USSR (from a distance). Fish? Union wants fish!
Britannia. Bl@d…
(*Britain withdraws its fishermen and recognizes Iceland's rights to a 12-mile zone*) Act two. 1972 Iceland. I need cod.
Britannia. Again?!

(*Iceland says it now has exclusive rights for 50 miles around the island*)
Other countries (in chorus). Yes, you've lost weight!
Iceland (corrects). You.
Britannia. You got me, you little bastard.
Germany. And me. I might need cod too!
(*Britain and Germany continue to fish in Icelandic waters with navy frigates attached to the fishermen*)
Iceland (thoughtfully). U#bu. Both.
(*Icelandic Coast Guard tries to cut the trawls of English fishermen, but runs into warning fire from the navy*)
Iceland (melancholy). Not me U#bu - so other U#but… (picks up the phone) Hello, USA? Iceland worries. No, not Ireland, but Iceland. No it's different countries. U#bu. What? No, it's not for you yet. We used to have your military base here, remember? What do you mean, "still worth it"? Now we'll remove it, if it's worth it. Otherwise, they offend us here, but your base is of no use. We will set up another base, a red one. With bear and button. And Russians. What does "don't" mean? How about "solving the problem"? Okay, decide quickly. Chao. (hangs up)
THE USSR. Did someone call me?
Iceland. No, you heard.
THE USSR. Is there still cod?
Iceland. No. She drowned.
THE USSR. It's a pity.
USA. Hey there you are in Icelandic waters!
Britain and Germany (in chorus). What?
USA. Get the hell out of there, please.
Britannia. But cod...
USA. From cod heartburn.
Britain (doomed). Bl@d…
(*Britain and Germany leave Icelandic waters*)
Iceland. U # bu next time. Act third. 1975 Iceland. I need cod.
Britain and Germany (looking around, in a low whisper). Go to hell.
Iceland. To me. Need. Cod.
(*Iceland claims it now owns the waters for 200 miles around the island*)
Other countries. Iceland, yes you ... that is, you ...
Iceland (interrupts). U#bu.
Germany (melancholy). U#bet.
Britannia. Watch and learn, suckers.
(*Britain brings in navy again to protect fishermen in Icelandic waters*)
Iceland (thoughtfully). I have seven ships. Britain has about a hundred. (rubbing his hands) It will be a great victory worthy of our Viking ancestors!
Germany (in a whisper). Iceland is crazy, call the psychiatrists.
Iceland. Release the Coast Guard!
(*the old frigate Thor comes out of the bay with difficulty, blocks the way for three English warships at once and enters into battle with them*)
Other countries (in chorus). Iceland is crazy!
Iceland (with devilish laughter). The halls of Valhalla await us, where we will feast forever with the Forefather Odin at a long table! ..
Other countries (in a whisper). Kick-Ass.
(*Icelandic and English ships chase each other across the sea, skirmishing*)
USA. Bl@d. You both…
Iceland (not listening). Fight, English rats! Your place is in the gray Niflheim, under the heel of the great Hel! Behold the banner of the raven! Thor is with us!
USA (in panic). You are both members of NATO!
Iceland (without turning around). Not anymore.
USA (falling into chthonic horror). How is it not?!
Iceland. We will not fight shoulder to shoulder with cowardly English rats. We are leaving NATO.
Other countries (in chorus). Wow!
USA (fading). But you have the only NATO base in the northern seas!
USSR (sneaking up). But from this place in more detail ...
USA. Bl@d! Britannia! Can I have two words for you?
Britain (reluctantly). What else?!
USA. Get out of there!
Britannia. It's a matter of principle!
USA. Wu#boo!
Iceland. USA, fuck off, I noticed her first!
USA. Yes, you are crazy!
Iceland (waving cod). You know, bears love raw fish. Historical fact.
THE USSR. Ry-s-s-yba-ah-ah-ah ...
USA. Bl@d! Britannia!
Britain (disappointed). Yes, what a muine...
(*Britain recalls its ships and, following all the countries of Europe, recognizes Iceland's right to a 200-mile zone around the island*)
Iceland (sadly). The Great Odin was left without a sacrifice... And the fun ended so quickly... (looking around and noticing the Eyyafjallajokull volcano) Although it is still possible to fix it!
All countries of the world (in chorus). Bl@d…
A curtain.

February 2nd, 2016

Traditional Icelandic food has been heavily influenced by Danish cuisine. We must not forget that the country was under Danish rule from medieval times until the nineteenth century. Of course, this is reflected in the culinary. Many recipes for cakes and cookies come from Denmark, famous for baked goods, as well as other dishes. But the people of the first settlements on the territory of Iceland, which existed in very difficult climatic conditions, had to make do with what they could get on harsh earth and in the cold sea. Needless to say, I had to get creative.

IN these days Icelanders can afford a lot of gastronomic delights imported from all over the world, but at the same time there are some sacred Icelandic recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Naturally, the Icelandic recipe contains a large number of seafood, which is explained by the geographical position of the country - scallops, salmon, shark meat, shrimp, cod, halibut and much more. The most common meat is lamb. The Icelanders are very scrupulous - the import of meat into the country is prohibited so that the locals do not pick up any infection.

Of great importance for the development of the Icelandic gastronomic tradition were several historical events and natural disasters. Fasting traditions after the adoption of Christianity in 1000, the ban on eating horse meat, the onset of the Little Ice Age in the fourteenth century, which severely limited agricultural options, and people could no longer grow barley. Age-old culinary traditions are associated with the autumn slaughter of cattle and limited opportunities for preserving meat. That's why most of The tastes of the country's traditional dishes are determined by storage technologies - drying, smoking, pickling in fermented whey or brine.

The unique "surmatur" or whey for marinating meat and fish is a key product, and products cooked in it accordingly constitute Torramatur. Sliced ​​meat or fish served with rugbride ( Rye bread, dense, dark in color, usually sweetish), butter and brennyvin (cumin schnapps).

Torramatur is the tradition of the month of "Tori". In Norse mythology, the personification of frost or winter. In the Orkney Saga, the Norwegian King Torri is the son of snow. In the old Icelandic calendar, the name of the fourth winter month - it always begins on Friday, between January 19 and 25 and ends on Saturday, between February 19 and 25.

Associated with the tradition of the torrablot holiday, torramatur is served buffet style. The festivals were very popular in the 1950s, 1960s, some of them are still held every year. If we consider within the boundaries of Reykjavik and other Icelandic cities, then, as a rule, many restaurants offer meat, fish food prepared "according to ancient custom".

It should be noted that the word “torramatur” itself was not mentioned anywhere until 1958, when the Neustied restaurant in Reykjavik, founded in 1954, first introduced the menu of torramatur. This menu (1958) is displayed/advertised in a restaurant, reminiscent of the first "torramatur". Food was served in large wooden tubs (exactly copied from old tubs in National Museum Iceland). The idea was not only that, after tasting ancient food, to a certain extent imbued national culture. It was also an attempt to "revive" the off season for restaurants. And as it turned out, it turned out to be so successful that it immediately gained great popularity not only in the Neuested restaurant, but was copied by other restaurants as well. Very soon, many regional and student associations that organized torrablot festivals, known for many entertainments, dances and copious libations, began to serve torramatur food at their events.

Of course, over the past decades, "torramatur" has changed, adapting to modern tastes. traditional method preservation of meat immersed in fermented whey, which gives the product a characteristic sour taste, is not familiar to the younger generation of Icelanders in general. Therefore, "torramatur" today offers a choice - they serve the same food - "sour portion" and usually cooked - on separate trays (since acid instantly oxidizes any product). In addition, many new dishes have been added to the Icelandic " buffet» - torramatur, including strictly regional, for this reason, rare and little known. The way of serving (in wooden tubs) has also changed - today, in most cases, food is served on ordinary trays.

Kaistur Khvaliur - whale meat soaked in whey.

Hardfiskur, in other words, "ram" or dried fish cod, haddock, striped catfish). In the past, in homes where they could afford flour, they baked something like pies with it. Hardiskur is eaten with butter or red seaweed and is a popular snack in Iceland.

Svid - a mutton's head, cut in half, singed (to remove the wool) and boiled without the brain. Sometimes it is preliminarily kept in lactic acid for prevention. Svid often serves as the basis for svidasult (brawn).

There are several superstitious beliefs associated with eating sheep's head. For example, ears are considered a restricted area, as they are usually marked (the owner of the animal is indicated) and the person who ate them can allegedly be accused of theft. If the small bone under the tongue is not broken, the child will remain mute. Many Icelanders believe that the eye is the most tasty part heads.

Well, here are some interesting and unusual dishes for you.

Saltfiskur - salted fish

In Iceland, one of the most used food preservation methods is salting. The fish is completely covered with salt, which then dries its meat. Before cooking such fish, you need to let it lie in the water for several hours (or several days, depending on the size of the fish). Traditionally, such fish is simply boiled and served with potatoes and bread. Now Icelanders are increasingly choosing to do salted fish in Spanish or Italian styles, with tomatoes and olives, for example.

Hangikyot - smoked lamb meat

A festive dish, the name translates as “suspended meat”. The meat is smoked on birch wood or with the addition of dried sheep droppings. Then boiled and served hot or cold with peas, mashed potatoes and white sauce, similar to bechamel.

Gellur - cod tongues

If gellur is cooked, as, for example, shown in the photo, in the oven, then it is very tasty. But usually gellur is simply boiled and served.
Gellur is often mistaken for fish tongues, however, these are fleshy triangular muscles just under the tongue.

Hardfiskur - dried fish

Another popular dish among Icelanders and even foreigners - dried or dried fish, usually haddock or cod. Icelanders eat it literally in tons with oil, without which, frankly, you can’t swallow it, since the fish meat is very dry.

Volcanic Bread

Icelandic rye bread is very popular in the country. It is dark in color and has a sweet taste. Eat it with butter and fish or meat. One of the ways to prepare it is very curious - ready dough put in a metal mold and left for a day where volcanoes warm up the upper layers of the soil. Such bread is also called volcanic.

Lundi - puffin bird

The meat is usually cooked in milk sauce or smoked. The dish is most popular in the Westman Islands, where there is a whole colony of these birds. There are a lot of puffins in Iceland, like we have, for example, pigeons, so they eat them without a twinge of conscience.

Hvalspik

Khwalspik means "whale oil". It is boiled and smoked in lactic acid. It was considered one of the main delicacies of the country, but now almost no one eats it.

Slatur - black pudding or pudding

"Slatur" literally means "bloodshed". Slatur is made from the entrails, blood and fat of sheep. Sometimes blood pudding is served with sweet rice pudding- a rather strange combination.

Khrutspungur - eggs of a young lamb

It is a delicacy in Iceland, although now almost no one eats it, except perhaps on holidays. The origin of this dish is explained by the fact that once Iceland was poor country and the farmers used what they could. Eggs are first marinated and then pressed into cookies or filled with gelatin.

whale meat

In Iceland, minke whales (a species of whale that is not endangered) are eaten. Whale meat is used to make steaks, kebabs or eat it raw with wasabi and soy sauce. Taste is somewhere between tuna and beef.

Kyotsupa - meat soup

Traditional meat soup prepared from lamb meat, potatoes, carrots, onions and rutabagas. They say it's a very tasty dish.

Skyr

Maybe not a traditional dish, but very popular among Icelanders and foreigners. Skyr is a low-fat dairy product, somewhat similar to yogurt, although it is not. Many desserts are made on the basis of thick skyr.

Brennyvin - Black Death

And finally, popular alcoholic drink"Brennyvin". Translated as "burnt wine", it is made from potatoes and cumin seeds. The Icelanders themselves call it none other than the "Black Death".

By the way, alcohol prices in Iceland are very high. You can buy a glass of wine or beer in restaurants, bars and government stores, but for alcohol you will have to shell out a fortune.

Here are some other kitchens: here for example, but here or for example and