Beef becoming more popular at Christmas

According to the national union of dairy farmers, beef is becoming more popular as a Christmas food in Iceland. Import of beef is greater this year than previous years as production of Icelandic beef is insufficient for the demand. 

The biggest Christmas celebration in Iceland is Christmas eve when family sit down for a festive meal and later open gifts. 

"Icelanders are very conservative when it comes to the traditional Christmas dish." says Baldur Helgi Benjaminsson, managing director of the national union of dairy farmers in an interview with Morgunblaðið. "Beef has not become traditional yet but this is changing and we can feel that." Benjaminsson believes that tourism to Iceland has also had an impact as foreigners are more accustomed to ordering beef at restaurants. 

The most popular traditional meats enjoyed on Christmas eve in Iceland are Hangikjöt (smoked lamb), Hamborgarahryggur (smoked gammon) and rjúpa (ptarmigan). Reindeer is also popular and turkey has become increasingly popular in recent years. 

Traditionally, smoked lamb, gammon and ptarmigan are served with sugar-coated browned potatoes, green peas, red cabbage and sauce.