But we would like you to think we do…It´s a part of our image you see….And we like to see you gag after trying it.
It makes us laugh. Perhaps I am only speaking for myself but god…it tastes baaaaddd….I really don´t like it:(
You are also more likely to find an Icelander with a glass of beer in his hand or a glass of chardonnay – then the local drink Brennivín – which also goes by the name Svarti Dauði og Black Death.
I am very thankful for that.
The shark smells horrible – and the Brennivín makes you too drunk to care. Guess that´s why they serve the two together.
We´d also like you think we eat the sour lambs testicles ( hrútapungar ) and the rest of the rotten “food” that we serve in mid-winter around Þorrinn – which is the name of the month in the old nordic calender.
We´ll eat the “flatkökur með hangikjöti”…that is – lamb that has been hung, thinly sliced and served on a traditional flatbread.
Some will eat the sheeps heads or “svið” as we call them. Some even like the eyes.
But then again, that is an acquired taste and not for everyone.
The “Þorrablót” as we call it ( it should be called “the bad food festival” or “festival of rotten food” ) can be a lot of fun – but you don´t go there for the food. Unless you´re 90 and it reminds you of your childhood. Still – there are exeptions that prove the rule. Or perhaps they are only pretending to like it.
Not surprisingly, a lot of the “traditional” food is actually food that has been preserved by curing, burying or preserving in some way or another. Fortunately we have other methods of preparing food these days and we should definately use them!!
Sigurveig 