5 Holiday Foods That Will Make You Question Humanity

Hákarl — The Ammonia Shark

Iceland’s most infamous holiday dish is Greenland shark buried in the ground for six to twelve weeks, then hung to dry. Fresh Greenland shark meat is toxic to humans because of its high urea content, which is why the fermentation process is necessary—it breaks down the toxins and turns the meat into something you can eat. The result is a pungent, ammonia-heavy flavour that Anthony Bourdain described as “the single worst, most disgusting and terrible tasting thing” he ever ate. It’s typically served in small cubes on a toothpick. One cube is usually enough.