Tag Archives: food
Gleðileg jól! Posted by hulda on Dec 19, 2016
The nights are dark and full of trolls, there’s Björk singing about how horrifying the Christmas Cat is and grocery stores have an overpowering smell of smoked meat – that’s what the real Christmas spirit is made of, right? Be prepared for the parts of Icelandic Christmas that are not like what you’re used to!…
6 signs of Icelandic Christmas Posted by hulda on Dec 8, 2016
Icelandic Christmas traditions – I bet you’ve heard of the trolls by now! You might also have heard of the monster cat that devours everyone who doesn’t get at least one new item of clothing for the holidays, that Iceland has 13 “Santas” or more correctly put Yule Lads, mountain trolls that arrive to the…
Basic survival in Iceland: pizza Posted by hulda on Aug 25, 2016
So you want to visit Iceland? Then it’s absolutely vital that you’ll know how to order flatbaka, “a flatbake”, of your preference in Icelandic. This food item is also known as a pizza. Basics Sósa, tómatsósa, pizzasósa (= sauce, ketchup, pizza sauce) Tómatar (= tomatoes) Ostur (= cheese) Hvítlaukur (= garlic, lit. transl. “white onion”) Oregano (=…
The day of sailors. Posted by hulda on Jun 9, 2016
Last weekend we had Sjómannadagurinn, the day of sailors, and the harbor area was full of all kinds of sea-related activities. It’s held annually on the first Sunday of June unless Pentecost falls on that day: on those years it’s held on the second Sunday. It was first held on 6th June 1938 and since…
Easter proverb time. Posted by hulda on Mar 28, 2016
What’s Easter without the Icelandic tradition of people giving each other gigantic chocolate eggs filled with more chocolate, candy and proverbs? Not a proper Easter says I! The eggs must absolutely be of the Icelandic variety too, nothing else will do unless… unless the eggs meet a certain criteria. The chocolate itself is delicious but while…
Celebrating bolla-pastries. Posted by hulda on Feb 4, 2016
BOLLA BOLLA BOLLA BOLLA! This is what many parents of small children will shortly hear screamed happily at them while they get beaten up with colourful, decorative wands. Bolludagur, the Day of Bolla (bolla = Icelandic version of choux pastries) is almost here. This year it will be celebrated on the 8th February and the…
Icelandic midwinter feast, Þorrablót. Posted by hulda on Jan 28, 2016
In the deepest winter Icelanders celebrate Þorri, the personification of winter: that’s when traditional foods are served along with strong liquor, preferably Brennivín.The celebration bears the name Þorrablót, a clear reminder of its Pagan roots – a blót is a ritual sacrifice or a feast held to honour a god or gods. The tradition died…