Smalahove facts for kids
A serving of smalahove at Voss, Norway
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| Alternative names | Smalehovud, Skjelte |
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| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Norway |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Lamb head |
Smalahove is a traditional dish from Western Norway. It is made from a sheep's head. People in Norway traditionally ate this dish before Christmas. The name Smalahove comes from two Norwegian words: smale meaning "sheep" and hove meaning "head". So, Smalahove literally means "sheep head".
To prepare Smalahove, the sheep's head is first cleaned. The skin and wool are burned off, and the brain is taken out. Then, the head is salted, and sometimes smoked and dried. After this, it is boiled or steamed for about three hours. It is usually served with mashed rutabaga and potatoes. Sometimes, the brain is cooked inside the skull and eaten. Long ago, Smalahove was mainly eaten by people who were not wealthy.
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How to Eat Smalahove
Eating Smalahove is a unique experience. One serving usually includes half of a sheep's head. People often start by eating the ear and eye. These parts are the fattiest and taste best when they are warm. Many people eat the head from the front to the back. They carefully work around the bones of the skull.
Why Lamb Heads Are Used Now
Since 1998, there have been rules about making Smalahove. These rules came after concerns about animal diseases. Now, Smalahove can only be made from the heads of lambs. This means the sheep must be young. This rule helps make sure the food is safe to eat. Scientists believe that certain sheep diseases do not spread to humans.
Smalahove and Tourism
Many people find Smalahove to be a very unusual dish. It is often seen as an "extreme" food. Because of this, tourists sometimes want to try it for an exciting experience. Places like Voss in Norway have become popular for tourists. Visitors go there to try Smalahove as a challenging and authentic local dish. It has become a kind of "culinary trophy" for those seeking adventure in food.
Smalahove in Movies
Smalahove has even appeared in movies. In the 2006 Icelandic film Jar City, the main character, a police investigator named Erlendur, orders and eats this dish for dinner.
See also
In Spanish: Smalahove para niños
