deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

The meals leading up to Christmas are, without a doubt, some of the best of the year. One can indulge in perfectly cooked poultry, nut roasts, mince pies, gingerbread men, cinnamon rolls, and all manner of other treats. This season in Iceland, however, one dish deserves an extra special mention: the delicious and creamy Skyr.

This healthy, tasty, traditional dairy product can fairly be described as one of Iceland’s true delicacies, especially when compared to dishes such as “hakarl” (fermented shark) and “hrutspungar” (ram’s testicles).

While a delight the whole year round, Skyr is a particular treat over Christmas, serving as a refreshment from the number of huge roast meals that usually accompany the holidays.

In terms of Icelandic Christmas folklore, however, people were not the only ones craving Skyr at this time of year. It was also the favorite meal of the eighth Icelandic Yule Lad, Skyrgamur, or “Skyr-Gobbler.”

From the 18th until the 30th, this national delight – a compliment to both sweet and savory dishes – was under careful watch should it fall into the hands of this nefarious troll.

True Icelanders point out Skyr is not the same as yogurt – ‘it is much better’.

Which is why you don’t want to ‘share’ it with Skyrgamur.