This entry is all about the delicious dishes we enjoyed in Germany and Switzerland. One of our favorite parts of traveling is discovering new food. Even though one of us eats absolutely everything and the other is less brave, it’s fun to try new things.
We spent most of our time in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The Reithmeiers live in the northern part of the state and the Grunaus live in the southwestern part of the state. Much of this area is known as Swabia.
Baden-Württemberg is the home of the Schwarzwald – The Black Forest. Where better to eat Black Forest Cake than in the Black Forest. Rudi went out of his way to make sure we had the most authentic Schwarzwald cake and it was delicious.
We enjoyed plenty of pork and lots of varieties of kartoffelsalat – Potato Salad – throughout our trip. We noticed some differences here from other parts of Germany we’ve traveled in. For one thing, we had very little, if any, Sauerkraut during this trip and the sausage plates we saw on menus in the northern and eastern parts of Germany during our last trip weren’t as common.
Our new favorite German food is Maultaschen, a Swabian favorite, which are large ravioli-type noodles filled with meat and vegetables. We had them in a variety of ways from steamed in a broth to sliced and grilled. Delicious!! There seems to be an Italian influence in this region of Germany. The Swabian specialties definitely had an Italian influence and there were plenty of pizza restaurants run by real Italians in the region.
The Grunaus invited us to their local restaurant which was very fun. Rudi ordered a plate of escargot – snails – as an appetizer/beer accompaniment for himself and Doug. I heard they were served in a delicious butter sauce. Our ever-astute future exchange student Christoph pointed out they shouldn’t taste “fishy” because they are not fish. Johanna and I still weren’t interested. Doug is looking forward to Christoph’s arrival so he can revive the weekly “fish night” that he enjoyed when Makiko was here. I will eat Grilled Cheese.
Speaking of cheese….While the rest of the Grunaus enjoyed pork and fish dishes, Johanna and I each (!) ordered the cheese plate from the “small appetites” menu. All kinds of delicious and stinky cheeses served with exactly one slice of bread. Johanna kindly asked for extra bread for us and we still weren’t able to finish our plates.
We enjoyed delicious meals out with both families but also great meals at home. After eating with both families, we felt that the children must have missed delicious cooking when they lived with us. Everyone served the freshest vegetables, great bread and bubbly water as just a ‘normal’ part of their meals. To both Johannas, we are sorry you were deprived of this deliciousness during your time at our house. To Christoph, we’ll “do our very best” when you’re here. 
We went to a school festival with the Grunaus where we had Steak Sandwiches and Beer for dinner. That’s right – beer at a school event. I think I’ll bring this up at our first staff meeting next month.
We enjoyed all the delicious vegetables throughout the trip. Every village, town and city has a local market at least twice a week. The one above was in Stuttgart which smelled like fresh herbs and vegetables as we walked through. It wasn’t a far reach to think the veggies we had during our Saturday lunch in Colmar, France had come directly from the local market that morning.
Apfelstrudel – Ja, Bitte!
In addition to maultaschen and pork cooked in every possible way, we enjoyed the sweet treats available in Germany. Apfelstudel (Apple Strudel) and Eis (Ice Cream) were widely available. The Germans do the “linger over a wildly decorated ice cream sundae or cup of coffee” thing really well.
Of course there was beer, lots of beer! Each place we went seemed to have their particular beer of choice. The server didn’t list off the usual lengthy “Bud, Bud Light, Miller, Miller Light…..” list we hear here when we ask what’s on tap at a restaurant. The menu usually included a Weissbier and a Pils which could be ordered in the .3 or .5 liter sizes. Usualy one or both were available alkoholfrei just in case you want the look and taste of beer but not the alcohol.
Baden-Württemberg is the heart of the German wine growing region. It’s warmer climate, fairly dry weather and great soil make it the perfect place to grow grapes for white wine. We enjoyed the German precision to the way the rows of vines were planted and cultivated on the hillsides throughout the region. Wolfram said that many people grow grapes as a hobby, not as a full-time job, so the grapes are taken to the local cooperative to produce regional wines. This was the local wine cooperative in Meersburg.
We stopped by the local Winzerverein – wine cooperative – during our second morning in Meersburg to pick up a couple bottles. If you look closely, you’ll notice the clock reads 10:30am and each of the employees has a glass of the local brew on their desk.
We enjoyed almost every meal outdoors. On the Saturday night we were with the Reithmeiers, we had an amazing Italian dinner near this picturesque plaza in Esslingen. The food and the setting was unbelievable! I felt like I was in a movie.
To close this entry, I’d like to go back to the heart of deliciousness in Germany…the bread. In every shape and size, always fresh, always delicious!
No comments:
Post a Comment