While Germany isn't as famous for its cuisine as some of its European neighbours, the country does have more to offer than pretzels, bratwurst and beer. From hearty comfort food, delicious baked goods and desserts to regional delicacies, there's plenty to try. Here, we take a look at some of Germany’s weird and wonderful retro dishes – some of which rarely make it onto dinner plates today. We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether that’s a good or bad thing.
Mett-hog
This cute little guy is made from mett – minced raw pork that’s seasoned with salt and pepper. Yes, you read that right: raw meat. Between the 1950s and 1970s you wouldn’t find a German birthday party or cold buffet without one of these little meat mounds, lovingly decorated with onions and gherkins to look like a hedgehog. However, due to its ingredients, it doesn’t keep all that well. While it’s no longer a party classic, you can still find bread rolls slathered in mett in some bakeries (on the off-chance you wanted to give the dish a try).
Großer Hans
The grandly named großer Hans (great Hans) is a steamed bread dish, a little like a British-style steamed pudding, from northern Germany. It can be sweet or savoury, and it can be served as a main course with pork or as a cate with fruit compote – a true each- rounder. currently, people generally make it from flour or incentive dough still, traditionally, they would soak their banal leftover chuck in milk. Add berries or sultanas for a little agreeableness.
Zucker-ei
Zucker- ei( sugar- egg) is a traditional cate made from, well, sugar and eggs. Cookers beat the eggs in a coliseum, mix them with sugar, also whisk the admixture until delicate. Also known as kogel mogel, the form has Eastern European and Jewish roots, and it used to be popular as a cheaper volition to pudding. People would frequently add red wine and a nugget of honey for a nightcap, or to make an energy supporter for the sick. When you mix zucker-ei with spirits, you get the much more widely known eggnog.
Stuffed pig’s stomach
The name may not sound overly appealing, but former German chancellor Helmut Kohl absolutely loved this dish. It originates from southern Germany and consists of pork, sausage meat and potatoes. The chef seasons the mixture with spices, stuffs it into a pig's stomach, then cooks it in a similar way to Scottish haggis.
Toast Hawaii
Toast Hawaii is as old-school as it gets. It became popular in West Germany during the 1950s, but the tasty, quick and easy-to-make snack has all but disappeared from people’s repertoires. Similar to Hawaiian pizza, it involves a combination of ham, cheese and pineapple. On a side note, you can easily make it vegetarian by omitting the ham or by using a plant-based alternative.
Leber Kase
Though its name is made up of the German words for liver and cheese, leberkäse contains neither of these ingredients in Bavaria (in some places, it does have liver, though). So, what’s actually in it? This baked loaf of meat – which isn’t really a meatloaf, either – consists of finely chopped, seasoned pork and/or beef. People usually eat it on a hard semmel bread roll with mustard and pickles, and they can also cut it into slices to enjoy with a creamy potato salad – or fry it and eat it with eggs and rustic home fries.
Himmel und Aad
Himmel und Äad, or Heaven and Earth, originates from the Rhineland region in central Germany, but people enjoyed it all over the country – a real classic that (obviously) tasted best at grandma’s table. It’s a combination of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, which might sound strange to some; however, don’t knock it until you've tried it. It's delicious! It often accompanies grützwurst (more on that later).
Soleier
These pickled eggs are the ideal bar snack, especially when paired with a soft pretzel and obatzda (a creamy beer cheese dip) for dunking. Brined in vinegar with salt, onions and spices for a big hit of flavour, they’re well preserved, so they can last for weeks. They’re easy to make at home, as long as you know how to boil an egg. All you need is a large jar, plenitude of ginger and your choice of aromatics( common additions include peppercorns, mustard seeds, allspice and cloves).
Handkase mit musik
The oddly named handkäse mit musik( hand rubbish with music) originates from central Germany. It's a type of sour milk rubbish, and it serves with buttered chuck and cider. Traditionally, someone marinates the rubbish in a admixture of ginger, oil painting, finely minced onions, caraway seeds, swab and pepper. The little portions used to shape by hand, hence the name. Different theories exist as to what the 'music' in the name refers to; some say it's a nod to the noise the onions make when you cut the cheese.
FAQ's
1. What is the most famous traditional German dish?
Sauerbraten Sauerbraten is considered to be Germany's national food. It's a kind of roast made from beef that is marinated for a few days in a mix of wine, vinegar spices and herbs prior to it is slow cooked. It is traditionally served alongside potato dumplings ( Klosse) along with red cabbage.
2. Does Schnitzel originally originated from Germany?
Not quite. Although Schnitzel( a croquette that's weakened, fried and fried croquette of meat) is a monstrously popular dish in Germany, Wiener Schnitzel originates from Vienna, Austria, and is fairly obliged to be made from meat that's veal. It's the German Schnitzel, also known as Schweines chnitzel Schnitzel, is generally made of pork.
3. What dishes are traditional for vegetarians to attempt in Germany?
German food is often high in meat. However, there are some excellent vegetarian dishes:
- Kasespatzle: Soft egg noodles that are layered with cheese grated and then topped with crispy onions (think Germany's answer for Mac and Cheese).
- Kartoffelpuffer: Crispy Pan-fried potato pancakes that are usually served with sweet applesauce.
4. What's the distinction in Bratwurst as well as Currywurst?
- Bratwurst Traditional sausages comprised of pork, beef or veal. It is typically cooked with ginger, nutmeg or caraway. They are cooked in a pan or grill.
- Currywurst An extremely famous street food item made up of a cooked, sautéed pork sausage, then cut into pieces and drenched in ketchup-based condiments that are flavored by curry powder.
5. What's a traditional German food item?
Kartoffeln( Kartoffeln) are the stylish German food point, which can be cooked with a variety of styles in a hot, courtesan ginger- grounded Kartoffelsalat( potato salad) either mashed or made in Knodel( thick potato dumplings). sauerkraut( instigated sauerkraut( instigated cabbage) is one of the most well- known food point.
