If you’re constantly trying to improve your diet and you keep up with the latest news in health and nutrition, you might already be aware that the Icelandic diet is one of the healthiest in the world. This is due largely to their strict regulations concerning the growth and production of food. Food sold in the stores and served in the restaurants in Iceland tend to be organic, raised or grown on local farms, and free of chemical additions or alterations. It’s a tough diet to replicate in the United States, but if you’re planning on taking an escorted Iceland tour, you’ll have a chance to taste the staples that lead to the long life span and general good health of Iceland natives. Here are some foods that you should definitely try while you’re there.
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Seafood. One of the most popular snacks in Iceland is harðifiskur. The concept is somewhat similar to that of beef jerky, except that instead of strips of dried beef or other meat, it’s made from haddock or cod that is first wind dried and then torn and eaten in strips. Some people spread butter on it first (and Icelandic butter is another thing that you should definitely make it a point to try.) Fresh seafood is available year round and is never in short supply; common Icelandic dishes incorporate cod and haddock as well as lobster, trout, salmon, and Icelandic char. One traditional Icelandic seafood dish, Hákarl, is not for the faint of heart. This is a type of shark that is buried in the sand for as long as six months before eating, so it’s fermented (i.e. rotting) when you eat it. Don’t feel bad if you decide to give this one a pass.
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Meat. Looking for a fast food option in Iceland? Try the pylsur, the Icelandic version of a hot dog. It differs from hot dogs that you’ve tried at home because of the inclusion of lamb with the usual beef and pork parts. It’s served with ketchup, sweet mustard, onions, and a sauce that resembles mayonnaise. Lamb is a popular choice of meat in Iceland, along with reindeer, puffin, and ptarmigan, a grouse-like bird that’s served for Christmas dinner instead of turkey. You can also find whale or seal offered in some restaurants.
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Skyr. Skyr is only one food, but it’s served in so many different ways in Iceland that it deserves a category of its own. Skyr is a soft cheese that more closely resembles yogurt, and it’s made in a similar fashion to yogurt. It’s very healthy and fat free, and it’s made of pasteurized skim milk. In Iceland, skyr is eaten for any meal, as a snack, in the form of a drink, or served as a dipping sauce. It can be mixed with fruit or other flavors to change its flavor. It’s a very versatile food, and if you’re spending any time with the people in Iceland, you will almost certainly end up eating it in one form or another.
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Sheep’s Head. If you’re feeling adventurous, one more unusual dish that Iceland is known for is the sheep’s head. Yes, the whole head. The brain is removed and it is seared and then boiled, and served with potatoes and turnips. The dish looks a bit scary, but the sheep’s tongue is said to be particularly tasty!
Whenever you travel to a different country, it’s important to try the local food. If you can get past any inhibitions you may have about trying something new (and perhaps a bit weird!), you just may fall in love with the Icelandic diet.
