What to eat in Germany that is truly typical, out of the commonplace of Germany - potatoes and sauerkraut. Here are 10 typical dishes that will make your mouth water just by reading them.
Since living in Germany I have learned to appreciate German specialties, and when you take a holiday in Germany you don't have to leave thinking that you will only eat potatoes! Germany is full of specialties that you absolutely must try! I recommend my favorites.
crumble cacke
One of the best cakes I've ever eaten! Soft underneath and crunchy on the surface, it reminds a little of the sbrisolona cake.
Streusel means crumbs and the cake is so called because it is covered with crunchy crumbs. It is found in all bakeries, at fairly feasible prices. There are also many variations: plain or stuffed with apples, blueberries, cherries or other fruit. A must try!
A variation is the Streuseltaler, a kind of biscuit covered with the same crumbs. This costs around one euro and is usually quite big, so it's worth it!
Spätzle with bacon and Emmental
A typical dish from southern Germany, Spätzle are a type of egg pasta. They can be found in the supermarket both in the refrigerated counter and in the pasta department. I prefer fresh ones and I recommend making them with bacon and Emmental. All very easy and fast: just cut the bacon into cubes and let it brown in the pan. Add various aromas, and finally add the pasta directly to the pan and when it is ready (after a few minutes), add the diced or flaked cheese. And if you have it, add some olive oil too. A delight.
meatballs
These meatballs are for me one of the best foods on the go: very versatile, they can be eaten raw, in a pan, in the oven, on the grill. And they are always good! There are different formats, small or large and a package costs less than 2 €.
So here I leave room for the imagination! A sandwich with meatball and cheese, or if you have a kitchen and more time available, you can cook them in a pan accompanied by a salad or a side of potatoes.
Leberkäse and fried egg
Leberkäse is a Bavarian specialty and is not a cheese, despite the fact that it is called Käse (which means cheese)! It is a cured meat, which personally reminds me a little of mortadella, but with less visible fat. They sell it already sliced, in very thick slices. The traditional recipe sees it paired with a fried egg and in my opinion the two are perfect together, perhaps with a nice pretzel as a side dish! To tell the truth, this is a typical Bavarian dish to eat and breakfast!
Spekulatius
Typical Christmas cookies, if you go to Germany for Christmas you can't not try them! There are several variations, the traditional ones, very aromatic with cinnamon and ginger, those with butter, natural or covered with chocolate or almonds. Starting in October, you will find a large assortment in any supermarket and the prices are also good, considering that a 200 gram pack of Spekulatius with butter costs only € 0,79.
Black Forest Ham
As the name suggests, smoked ham typical of the Black Forest. Produced exclusively in this area, it is special because it remains to mature for at least three months and the fresh air of the Black Forest enriches its taste. The icing on the cake is the smoking, strictly with local wood. Truly exceptional, it has a unique flavor and is easily found in all supermarkets (€ 2,79 for 200 grams). I recommend it on the go for great sandwiches with fresh cream cheese.
Nuremberg sausages
Another typical dish of the south, precisely from the city of Nuremberg, the famous flavored sausages are truly delicious! Obviously to eat cooked if you have a portable stove or a kitchen. If you are in the area you will find many vendors on the streets selling cooked sausages with a sandwich, but I always prefer to do it myself because for the same price as the sandwich at the supermarket you buy a whole pack and you can have a binge !! And the sandwiches they sell on the streets are always too small!
Bread
In Germany there are endless varieties of bread, all very good! For example, bread made with rye or wholemeal flour is very popular.
My favorites are the Kartoffelbrot, with potato flour, or the rolls with pumpkin or poppy seeds. All at very low prices, considering that a normal small sandwich costs only € 0,13.
Schinken-Käse Croissant
Or croissant with ham and cheese, one of my favorite snacks. You can find it in all bakeries or in the supermarket if you want to save money (one costs € 0,79). I know we may think that the ham croissant is something strange, but since I tried it, I have fallen in love !! And the joy did not end when I returned home after the six months of Erasmus in Mainz, I found the croissants with ham at Lidl too! So for those who are homesick, do not worry!
kohlrabi
A vegetable that I met here in Germany I had never seen, not being very widespread. It tastes reminiscent of cauliflower, as it is part of the cabbage family. If you want a light and fresh lunch, just cut it into thin slices, spread it on a plate and season it with a mix of oil and vinegar and herbs to taste, in short, a sort of vegetarian carpaccio to eat as a side dish or simply with crispy bread.
The price at the supermarket varies according to the season, but is always below the euro per piece. And if you feel like it, why not buy one and bring it back, since it's a vegetable that keeps great even out of the fridge if it's not too hot ... a little trip won't hurt.
