Saturday, May 22, 2010

So what should I eat in Germany?


Oh yes, this picture above is one of the reason we love to travel in Europe in May. White asparagus!!! We walked to our local restaurant in town, "Zum Krone" and ordered the asparagus. We also got two pieces of perfectly cooked pork tenderloin, boiled potatoes and the fresh white asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. A little pricey at 17 euros each, but the time to eat these beautiful spears is short and every restaurant cooks them in every way possible.

These asparagus differ from what we know in America as green asparagus. Why our ancestors did not bring this tradition with them is unknown to me. They are grown differently. You see fields of peaked rows, probably up to 12 inches tall. The asparagus never sees daylight, totally grown underground. Though the spears need peeling before cooking, they are very tender, very sweet and very fabulous. I could eat these every day of my trip and in the past, I almost have. There is a small town near Heidelberg, Germany, where they actually have a festival week where the precious white asparagus is honored. "Spargelfest".


I love the simple salads. Here you see fresh leaf lettuce from the garden, carrots and white radishes, all napped with a pleasant, light vinaigrette.


But, of course, I needed at least one schnitzel dinner. This was served with fried potatoes...very golden potatoes. The potatoes in Germany are also very different than ours. Finally, with the availability of Yukon Gold potatoes, we are getting close to a good flavored potatoes like you find in Europe.

This meal was for two, our friends Dieter and Heidi. A little of everything. Spaetzle, salad, pomme frites, carrots and peas, two fried eggs, potato croquettes (the oval shaped items) and two sausages, two pieces of ham and two pieces of steak. They ate it all and proclaimed how great it was.

15 comments:

  1. Oh my what great looking food..I love German food...Yummy..Thanks for sharing and now I am hungry for some asparagus...You have a beauiful weekend..Lisa

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  2. Susan, I'm so glad you like white asparagus too. We were in France in May a couple of years ago and it was everywhere in the markets. Its taste reminded me slightly of an artichoke. I also wonder why we rarely see it in American markets.

    Yukon gold potatoes are hard to find where I live and I don't understand that either. Of course you couldn't pass up the schnitzel. I couldn't either and the lemon slices and the anchovy (?) filet on top make it very attractive.

    No wonder the German people walk a lot - look at that assortment of food on Dieter & Heidi's tray. That's enough for a week. The eggs are cooked to perfection. The Germans know how to do things right.

    We are planning a trip to France maybe next year and now you've got me thinking ... maybe we ought to find a way across the border for some of this hardy German fare before we return. Meakin can polish up his German. We haven't been since the eighties; it's about time and both of us have German ancestors.
    San

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  3. Susan: I should have had breakfast before reading your post! How I would love to have that asparagus on my plate. I occasionally see it at Whole Foods but never in the farmers' markets. We do enjoy it at various restaurants when it's on the menu.

    I'm enjoying "traveling" with you!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. Of course you had to have schnitzel :)I think white asparagus is much tastier than the green.

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  5. What a wonderful blog, I'm so glad I stopped by! You took me back to my younger days as an au pair in Switzerland and all the great German/Swiss food. Looks like a fantastic trip!

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  6. Makes me feel a little homesick! But we have white asparagus here in Provence and very good it is, too!

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  7. The food looks absolutely delicious ! I've enjoyed reading back on your posts and catching up on your travels - enjoyed the post about the beds, too :)

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  8. So you were there in spargelzeit! Lucky you! Oh, it looks as though you know how to enjoy life. Thank you for sharing it with us...I'm hungry now! This seems to happen frequently when I read your blog. But I'm also happy....

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  9. White asparagus and comfy beds, how very special. Look forward to hearing more about your trip.

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  10. Oh, my goodness! Nothing is better than schnitzel in Germany! I am so excited to have discovered your blog! Some of my happiest memories of the time I spent in Germany and your wonderful blog is bringing back sweet memories. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Have a great week! Twyla

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  11. That all looks so good. I'm one of those people who can't taste the difference between green and white asparagus for some reason. Maybe I'll try it again.

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  12. What a lovely plates of food. It all looks perfectly cooked and the white asparagus has me drooling. Have a great day, Susan, My best to Trout. Blessings...Mary

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  13. Wgat a delicious post, Susan. I could eat asparagus every day and wish we could get those wonderful big stalks here at home. You've made me hungry for a hearty German meal...I do love a good schnitzel.

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  14. My goodness...such different foods! The white asparagus really got my attention, I would love to try that. LOVE asparagus any which way and any color! HA

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  15. So fun to learn the food culture. I'll be a bit more inclined to search out the Yukon golds, my Dad planted some this year, maybe he'll share:)

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