MAIN Travel Tourist Attractions Iceland Food & Recipes

Iceland is known for the freshness and purity of their food products that reflects the care for nature and the environment that is typical in this healthy country.

Fish are caught in the pollution free waters of the North Atlantic, the lamb comes from sheep raised on fresh grass in the mountains. Chickens are also free range and the use of hormones in any meat is strictly forbidden.

Fish is the mainstay of the Icelandic diet. Fresh fish from nearby waters is available at any time of the year. Icelanders eat mostly haddock, cod, plaice, halibut, herring and shrimp, but don't miss a chance to try the lobster while you are in Iceland. You will be delighted by the taste, texture and freshness.

The most common types of poultry raised in Iceland are chicken, duck and turkey. Game is limited but reindeer as well as meat from the herds of wild horses, smaller animals and wild birds are eaten and several restaurants that offer Icelandic menus make these dishes available.

There are over 80 types of Icelandic cheeses. The Icelandic skyr is a bit thicker than yogurt and used as a topping for breakfast, many desserts or eaten with like yogurt. Mysa (whey) is another dairy specialty that has been made in the traditional method on farms in Iceland for centuries.

Even though Iceland is a rocky land situated near the polar circle, many garden vegetables thrive during the long sunny summer days. Root vegetables, cabbage and potatoes enjoy the climate and do well. Other vegetables, fruits and flowers are grown in geothermally heated hot houses and what cannot be produced is imported from nearby countries.

The Icelanders are descendants of the Vikings and eat many of the same foods as their ancestors. Traditional foods, called thorramatur, are typically served during the winter months from January to March. These preserved foods include smoked and salted lamb, salted lamb, singed sheep heads, dried fish, smoked and pickled salmon, cured shark and various other delicacies.

Fresh breads are always available. Beside the loaves that are common elsewhere, Iceland's specialty breads include laufabrauð (deep-fried paper-thin bread), kleinur (similar to doughnuts) and rye pancakes.

European Cuisines Icelandic Recipes - This is a simple site with a nice selection of recipes which include Skyr and Potato Flatbread as well as a selection of fish recipes including Halibut Soup and Herring in sour cream Sauce plus veal and some desserts.

Icelandic Festival Recipes - The traditions and celebrations of Bændadagur, Bolludagur, Sprengidagur, Öskudagur, Fyrsti mai, Uppstigningadagur, Eldaskildagur, Lokadagur and December 1st are explained and several recipes are offered to go along with the holiday traditions.

Jo's Icelandic Recipes - Menus for everyday Icelandic dishes and a whole section on special holidays together with how they are celebrated in Iceland today. This family recipe book and cooking page is full of tidbits on Iceland's traditions and culture as well as many great food ideas.

Virtually Virtual Iceland Icelandic Recipes - Here you'll find fish recipes as well as lamb, mutton soup, potatoes and pancakes.

Lúðusúpa - Icelandic Halibut Soup - Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir supplies a recipe for this traditional fish soup.

Vínarterta - Icelandic layer cake - Translated literally this cake is called a Vienna Cake and, with prune jam filling, is a traditional Icelandic favorite at Christmas and special occasions. This Canadian site has a very nice set of pictures to go with the instructions.