From Iceland — Food Of Iceland: Skonsur

Food Of Iceland: Skonsur

Published July 17, 2020

Food Of Iceland: Skonsur
Photo by
Adobe Stock

The word “skonsa” (the singular form of skonsur) may remind you of the English word “scone”, but that’s where the similarities end. They’re more like American pancakes. In fact, a side by side comparison of skonsa and pancake recipes indicates that there is fundamentally no difference between the two. In practice,, however, the foods have some major differences.

While American pancakes are served hot off the griddle, slathered in butter and drowned in maple syrup (some even put peanut butter and jelly on them), skonsur are served cold with butter and cheese. When made from scratch, they are prepared as an afterthought and attempt to get rid of expiring ingredients. Most often, though, they are bought pre-packaged in stores, usually stocked next to packs of flatkaka. Besides butter and cheese, non-traditionalists may also eat them with honey, peanut butter and jelly, or even butter and syrup, although at that point they’re really just pancakes.

Whatever you put on them, these tasty pastries will keep even the most intrepid hiker going for hours. Although we have nothing to base this on, we think that J.R.R. Tolkien used skonsur as the inspiration for Lembas Bread, which makes sense. They’re filling, full of energy and nutrients, and keep sweet for days if unbroken and left in their wrappings as you bought them.

Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club.

You can also check out our shop, loaded with books, apparel and other cool merch, that you can buy and have delivered right to your door.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Culture
Culture
Calling All The Muses

Calling All The Muses

by

Show Me More!