Svið facts for kids

Svið (pronounced "svith") is a very old and traditional dish from Iceland. It's made from a sheep's head. People prepare it by cutting the head in half, burning off the wool, and then boiling it. The brain is usually removed before cooking. This dish shows how Icelanders used to make sure no part of an animal went to waste.

Svið is a key part of þorramatur. This is a special collection of traditional Icelandic foods. People often eat þorramatur at the Þorrablót festival. This festival happens in the middle of winter. Svið is also used to make sviðasulta, which is like a meat jelly or brawn. Other countries nearby, like Norway and the Faroe Islands, have similar dishes made from sheep's heads.

Fun Facts and Beliefs

When people eat svið, there are some interesting traditions. Some people believe it's bad luck to remove the ears. This is because the ears might have a mark from the sheep's owner. If you remove them, some old stories say you might be accused of stealing!

Another belief is about a small bone under the tongue. If this bone is not broken, some say a child who cannot speak yet will stay silent forever. Many Icelanders also think the eye is the tastiest part of the head.

How Svið is Made

Making svið involves a few steps. First, the hair on the sheep's head is burned off. Then, the head is cleaned very well under cold water. Special attention is given to the eyes and ears during cleaning.

Preparing the Head

After cleaning, the head is cut in half lengthwise. The brain is then taken out. It's easier and less messy to remove the brain if the head is frozen first. Sometimes, the skin from the brain can be cooked too.

Cooking the Dish

Once the head is ready, it's put into a cooking pot. Coarse salt is sprinkled on it, and it's partly covered with water. When the water starts to boil, any foam that rises to the top is skimmed off. The head then cooks with a lid on for about 60 to 90 minutes. It's cooked until the meat is soft but before it starts to fall off the bone. Svið can be served hot right away, or it can be left to cool down and eaten cold.

See also

In Spanish: Svið para niños