After picking Niall up from school this afternoon, we walked a few blocks to the small local market to pick up a snack. Chose some sliced mango, a cinnamon biscuit and I felt like protein so... you know those hot ovens that have warm fresh-baked chicken at the grocery stores in Canada? Well, there is one like that and I noticed beside the chicken pkgs, they had warm lamb pkgs. It looked like a lamb steak, yet not understanding the Icelandic label, asked the person behind the meat counter (the first person didn't speak english so kindly directed me to the english speaking man). "Yes", he said, "it's lamb and it goes well with this", pointing to a small clear container with cooked squash. Icelanders don't eat their lamb with mint sauce/jelly which I already figured out but this was a new tradition! Ok, this sounds like a nice treat, love lamb. When I opened up the wrapper, and took a bite it tasted okay but something in the texture was new, so took a closer look at it. Oh my, I slowly realized in shock what I had just bought - half a lamb's head!!!! with tongue, jaw, teeth, eye all intact. Very little meat was on it but I think it's a delicacy, not sure. I sure really love Iceland and its people but this is rreeeeaaalllyyy stretching it lol :-) Today, yes, not only did I not plan to buy it, I've heard of it but didn't think that's what was under the saranwrap. I quickly put it back in the bag and the only one that was interested (or brave enough!) to see it was mom. The kids couldn't bear to look. Culture is really something!!! This wknd we hope to go the local farmers market where shark is available for purchase, to really try it.
AuthorI'm the mom of my three beautiful children on this wonderful Iceland adventure. Archives
June 2013
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