The ancient Viking kitchen was known for its hearty and nourishing cuisine. While they did not have built-in steam ovens, they used a technique called 'steam pit cooking' to prepare their food. Steam pit cooking involved digging a hole in the ground and lining it with stones. The stones would be heated with firewood, and the food, wrapped in leaves or animal skins, would be placed on top of the hot stones. The hole would then be covered with earth, trapping the steam and heat inside. This method was commonly used for cooking meats, fish, and root vegetables. The ancient Vikings believed that steam pit cooking helped tenderize the food and made it more flavorful. The kitchen was a place of communal gathering in Viking culture, and the use of steam pit cooking added a rustic and earthy element to their cuisine.
