Adventures In Food: Germany (Again)

{currywurst}

Kyle and I visited Oktoberfest last year so this was our second trip to Germany, and a chance to try some other national dishes in Hamburg and Berlin. Currywurst is the ultimate Berlin snack food! I was able to find a vegetarian version of currywurst which was great. It is a sausage (usually pork) covered in a spicy tomato sauce and then topped with curry powder. Don't worry, it is more flavoursome than spicy! Available everywhere in Berlin for a couple of euro.

 

{kartoffelgratin}

In Hamburg we stayed with a lovely friend who we met while travelling in Thailand last year. It was amazingly generous of him to welcome us to stay and to spend time with us despite his busy schedule. He showed us the best, cosy German restaurant (not a tourist in sight) for dinner. I enjoyed this potato bake as a main dish. No it's not nutritionally balanced, but it was yummy! And there is spinach in there! Sometimes veggos just have to go with something that is a bit carb heavy as opposed to a tiny side salad (especially in Central Europe). Potatoes (kartoffel) are a staple in many German dishes.

 

{käsespätzle}

I'd had this at Oktoberfest before and quite frankly, I couldn't wait to have it again. Spätzle is a short noodle used in many kinds of dishes, but I love it in this one. It is mixed with grated cheese and onion to make a German version of mac n cheese. I just love it.

{flammkuchen}

This is a dish I was on the lookout for as a vegetarian main meal in restaurants. Flammkuchen was explained to me as 'German pizza' although from a historical point of view, it is a little more complicated than that. This tart-with-toppings actually originated in Alsace, which is in modern France, but has changed hands with Germany several times over the years. My flammkuchen had a thin, baked dough base, covered in spinach and cheeses. It was really good.

{glühwein}

Mulled wine to combat the wintry skies.

{spezi}

This is a German softdrink that is a combination of cola and orange soft drink. Not homemade but definitely a quirk of the cuisine.

{rote grütze}

A duo of a thick red berry compote and creamy custard. A delicious reminder to eat fruit-based desserts more often- I usually choose chocolate!

{berliner/pfannkuchen}

The classic jam donut! These are called Berliners throughout Germany, except in Berlin where they are known as pfannkuchen. Apparently it is a popular practical joke to fill them with mustard instead of jam- although my partner Kyle loves mustard so much that he probably wouldn't mind.

{schwarzwälder kirschtorte}

You may know this one better as Black Forest gateau! Layers of chocolate sponge cake filled with whipped cream and cherries, topped with maraschino cherries and chocolate shavings. Must contain the cherry liqueur called kirsch to be labeled as 'schwarzwälder kirschtorte' in Germany.

{käsekuchen}

When I looked up the German name for 'cheesecake', I was amazed to see how many countries make their own versions! It doesn't come to mind as an exclusively German food, but it is Kyle's favourite dessert (he says his German 'Oma'- Grandma- always made the best cheesecakes) and they certainly line the shelves of German bakeries. In Germany they are made using quark and fruit.

{schnecken}

These pastries are the perfect on-the-go breakfast. Apparently they are a Saturday morning treat which I like the idea of, and the name means 'snails' which couldn't be cuter. Think of a cinnamon scroll with added raisins, and a sweet glaze on top. I may have to try my hand at these one weekend!