Hangikjöt facts for kids
Hangikjöt (pronounced "HANG-ee-kyurt") is a special traditional food from Iceland. It's usually eaten during Christmas. The name means "hung meat" because of how it's made.
What is Hangikjöt?
This Icelandic smoked meat is often made from lamb or mutton. Sometimes, it can even be made from horse meat! To prepare it, the meat is usually boiled. It can be served hot or cold in thin slices.
Traditionally, people eat Hangikjöt with potatoes and a creamy white sauce called béchamel sauce. Green peas are also a common side dish. You might also find it served in thin slices on different types of Icelandic bread, like flatkaka, rúgbrauð, or laufabrauð.
How is Hangikjöt Made?
The name "Hangikjöt" comes from an old way of preserving food. People used to smoke meat by hanging it from the ceiling rafters in a special smoking shed. This helped the meat last a long time without going bad.
Sometimes, you might see small pieces of string in the meat. These strings were tied around the meat to keep it pressed together while it was being smoked. Don't worry, you don't eat the strings!
There are different kinds of Hangikjöt. The meat can come from various parts of a sheep. The most popular type is usually from the hind legs. Many people think a whole leg with a good layer of fat is the best. Others prefer boneless rolls of meat or want less fat.
Modern Hangikjöt
In recent years, new types of Hangikjöt have become available. One example is tvíreykt (pronounced "TVEE-raykt"), which means "twice smoked." This lamb or mutton is smoked for a much longer time. It's more like the old-fashioned country Hangikjöt, which might have hung above a kitchen fire for many months.
This tvíreykt version is usually served raw in very thin slices. Sometimes, it's eaten with melon, similar to how Italian prosciutto is served. Most modern Hangikjöt, however, is only lightly smoked.
How is it Smoked?
The two main ways to smoke Hangikjöt are with Icelandic birch wood or with dried sheep dung. Both methods give the meat a unique flavor.
A recent survey showed that about 90% of all Icelanders eat Hangikjöt at least once during the Christmas holidays. It's a very important part of their festive traditions!
See also
In Spanish: Hangikjot para niños
