Kleina
Encyclopedia
Kleina is an Iceland
ic fried
pastry
that has been popular domestically for at least two centuries. It is made from flattened dough
cut into small trapezoids with a special cutting wheel (kleinujárn). American families may use a pizza cutter to form Kleina. A slit is cut in the middle and then one end pulled through the slit to form a "knot". This is then deep-fried in oil (traditionally tallow
).
They are served at Cafe Paris (overlooking the Austurvöllur
) in Reykjavík
,at the Heimabakarí in Húsavik
and allmost all bakeries where they are among Icelandic treats such as skúffukaka (a type of chocolate cake) on offer. They can also be found in stores all around the country. The Swedish equivalent of kleinur is klenäter
.
Kleina are used as part of a Christmas-time game in Scandinavian culture (source needed). Kleina are tied to a string, and hung from an open doorway through an eyelet. The game requires two people to play, but a crowd must be present to enjoy. One participant must attempt to bite the cookie off the string, using only their mouth (no hands!), while the other participant manipulates the unadorned end of the string.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic fried
Fried
-People:* Avraham Fried, a popular musical entertainer in the Orthodox Jewish community* Charles Fried, a prominent conservative American jurist and lawyer* Daisy Fried American poet* Daniel Fried, a United States career diplomat, Ambassador and Special Envoy...
pastry
Pastry
Pastry is the name given to various kinds of baked products made from ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, butter, shortening, baking powder and/or eggs. Small cakes, tarts and other sweet baked products are called "pastries."...
that has been popular domestically for at least two centuries. It is made from flattened dough
Dough
Dough is a paste made out of any cereals or leguminous crops by mixing flour with a small amount of water and/or other liquid. This process is a precursor to making a wide variety of foodstuffs, particularly breads and bread-based items , flatbreads, noodles, pastry, and similar items)...
cut into small trapezoids with a special cutting wheel (kleinujárn). American families may use a pizza cutter to form Kleina. A slit is cut in the middle and then one end pulled through the slit to form a "knot". This is then deep-fried in oil (traditionally tallow
Tallow
Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat, processed from suet. It is solid at room temperature. Unlike suet, tallow can be stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration to prevent decomposition, provided it is kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidation.In industry,...
).
They are served at Cafe Paris (overlooking the Austurvöllur
Austurvöllur
Austurvöllur is a public square in Reykjavik, Iceland. The square is a popular gathering place for the citizens of Reykjavik, and especially so during good weather due to the prevalence of cafés on Vallarstræti and Pósthússtræti...
) in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
,at the Heimabakarí in Húsavik
Húsavík
Húsavík is a town in Norðurþing municipality on the north coast of Iceland on the shores of Skjálfandi bay with 2,237 inhabitants.-Overview:The income of the inhabitants is derived from tourism and fishing, as well as retail and small industry...
and allmost all bakeries where they are among Icelandic treats such as skúffukaka (a type of chocolate cake) on offer. They can also be found in stores all around the country. The Swedish equivalent of kleinur is klenäter
Klenät
Klenät or klena is a fried pastry common in Sweden and Denmark The name is of Low German origin, which may indicate that the pastry was originally German...
.
Kleina are used as part of a Christmas-time game in Scandinavian culture (source needed). Kleina are tied to a string, and hung from an open doorway through an eyelet. The game requires two people to play, but a crowd must be present to enjoy. One participant must attempt to bite the cookie off the string, using only their mouth (no hands!), while the other participant manipulates the unadorned end of the string.