German Holiday foods refer to all the festive foods that are a part of the different German cuisines each with their own distinct holiday flavors. A number of German holiday recipes other than those for the typical schnitzel or sauerkraut, like the Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread), Gansebraten (Roast Goose), Knacker (Bangers), or Marzipankartofelln (Marzipan potatoes) are popular across the country. German Holiday foods like Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Frankfurters, and Osterlamm, traditional to the cuisine of the country, have gained popularity in other parts of the world too.
German Holiday Food Culture
German Holiday foods were popular among the inhabitants of the country since olden eras. References to food were made even in fairy tales like the very popular Hansel and Gretel story recorded by Brother Grimms. The people of Germany are fond of hearty meals and the German Holiday recipes are mostly compliant to this style of consumption. Apart from Lebkuchen, Springerle (holiday cookies), Stollen (dry fruit and coffee cake) and marzipan candies are traditional German holiday foods that are served with festive beverages like Gluhwein and beer.
- Stollen- Also popular as Christstollen or Weihnachtsstollen this is a special Christmas loaf cake made with dried fruits and nuts.
- Lebkuchen- this German ginger bread is a baked cookie mainly made of flour and honey with ginger flavoring. It is cut into different interesting shapes, traditionally heart-shape.
- Gansebraten (Roast Goose)- This most popular German holiday recipes for Christmas, which is similar to Turkey for Americans or is a succulent dish which is served for a meal with accompaniments like Grunkohl (stew made of kale) and potato dumplings and red cabbage.
- Gluhwien (literally meaning “ glowing wine”) - prepared for Christmastimide, is a spiced mulled red wine which is one of the favorite wines for German Holiday foods during the festive celebrations.
Popular German Holiday Recipes
German holiday foods include a number of dishes made with special holiday ingredients and each sub -cuisine has its own typical holiday foods. A few of them are discussed here:
