Smoking in Iceland

[biaviian]

I haven't been around much because I got married and have been in Iceland.  While in Iceland I had many opportunities to eat many smoked goodies.  Early Icelanders had to rely on smoke, more than most, to preserve food through the long winters (or so I'm told by locals).  Now they still smoke a lot of the foods but it is more due to customs than necessity.  I didn't have the opportunity to talk to any of the smokers but I did have the opportunity to eat a lot of their goods (a lot of "normal" items and some people may find "offensive") and there was 1 underlying fact.  I have never tasted such a good, clean, smoke as I have in Iceland.  I can't even begin to describe it but the smoke was perfectly balanced yet very pronounced while being the cleanest smoke you can imagine.  All of the smoke tasted the same so I concluded that it was all done with the same wood yet nobody knew the wood used (I only talked to the chefs who bought their food from locals that smoked in small batches). 

No real point to the thread other than to praise the smoked goodies in Iceland and wondering if others have experienced the same in other countries.  I have also realized that they love cooking with blueberries.  I guess that is because the Icelandic blueberry is one of the best tasting I have ever had.  Much different from our (Blueberries in most temperate climates) but very good.

If you've never been to Iceland, and like to travel, I highly suggest it.  It would be a great starting point for anybody wanting to get their feet wet into Europe because it is very close to the US (where most of us are I believe), 99% speak great English, and everybody there is more than willing to help in any way they can. 

 

[meateater]

Welcome back, I love foods from other cultures and I can only imagine the treasures your enjoying. I'd love to see some of the local dishes. 

 

[nwdave]

Well, I'm glad you had a great trip.  I trust you tried some of their cod dishes.  What they can do with cod puts us to shame.  Bring back any sweaters or knitted goods?

~Dave

 

[chef jimmyj]

Congrats on the Wedding, and glad you returned safely.   Here is a answer to What kind of Wood Icelanders use...http://simnet.is/gullis/jo/smoked meat.htm  

I always wondered what People are thinking when they name countries...Iceland is so Green and Greenland is covered in ICE!...JJ

 

[biaviian]

Thanks all.  I don't have any pictures of the food; I wish I did.  Every time we went out to eat we had the camera with us but didn't think of taking a picture until after we had eaten half of it.  I must say, puffin was my favorite "odd" meat that I ate there.  Then it was whale (minke...and yes, I realize that it probably won't be accepted very well nor will the next food) followed by horse (the tenderloin).  As far as best smoked meat overall, I'd say it was the lamb.  Yes the smoked salmon was amazing but the lamb had a great color and flavor.  It was shaved thin and put on a pita with some lamb pate as a binder.  That was an amazingly simple, traditional, snack. 

I really enjoyed my time in Iceland and I can't wait to go back.  I had NO idea that Iceland had a state religion (Lutheran) and that before that it was illegal to be anything other than Paganism (Christianity was "legalized" in the year 1000).  I'm debating on whether we go to Iceland in the winter or just go to Greenland instead. 

 

[SmokinAl]

Congrats to you & your Bride!

 

[shooter1]

Congrats, sounds like you had a great time and enjoyed some great food.