Bratwurst is a common German food.
When thinking about types of German foods, it is common for people to focus on various types of potatoes and sausage. Bratwurst, Knackwurst and Frankfurters are often found at German festivals and on German restaurant menus paired with potatoes. Around the holidays, typical German fare extends far beyond sausage and potatoes and includes foods like goose, sauerkraut and cake.
Main Course
Roast goose is a popular holiday dish in Germany.
Roast goose is a popular item on many German Christmas menus and is often served with potato dumplings. There are several recipes for preparing the roast goose, including roasting it with vegetables, stuffing it with liver pate and stuffing it with a brandied fruit dressing.
In areas of Germany that were mostly Catholic, fish was a traditional Christmas meal because Christmas Day was considered a day of fasting. For this same reason, fish is also commonly served on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent. Salmon, trout and sole are all common types of fish used in German holiday meals and are usually served blau (which means blue in German). Very fresh fish turns a bluish hue when prepared in a stock that contains vinegar. Horseradish and apples are also common ingredients to use when preparing fish.
Side Dishes
Sauerkraut is made from green cabbage and is a popular holiday side dish.
Kartoffel, or potatoes, are a popular side dish at German holidays and can be prepared in one of many ways. Most popular around the holidays are potato salad and potato dumplings. Other popular potato dishes include potato pancakes, potato soup and pan-fried potatoes.
Another popular German holiday side dish is sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is traditionally served on New Year's Eve because it's believed to bring wealth and blessings in the new year ahead. Sauerkraut is thinly sliced green cabbage that is traditionally cooked with wine. Various other ingredients can be added to it for additional flavor. Some popular additions are onions, bacon, juniper berries, caraway, and cream.
Holiday Desserts
Lamb cakes are popular German Easter desserts.
Lebkuchen is a popular Christmas dessert in Germany. They are honey cakes that are baked in various shapes (squares, hearts, semicircles), then iced and decorated. Traditionally, a young woman will combine a few Lebkuchen cakes with a bright ribbon and present them to a young man on Christmas Day.
During Easter in Germany a lamb is a very popular symbol, therefore, Osterlamm (Easter Lamb) has become a very popular German holiday dessert. Lamb cakes have become the centerpiece of most Easter dinner tables. Lamb cakes are made from cake batter but baked in a mold shaped like a lamb and typically decorated with powdered sugar.
Tags: German holiday, Lamb cakes, popular German, side dish, goose popular