First for some bad news. The iconic food and drink festival has been cancelled in Germany this year. The good news? Oktoberfest is alive and well in the UK!
Volkfest fans from around the world have expressed deep disappointment at the news of the latest Covid casualty. Oktoberfest 2021 has been cancelled for the second year in a row, but happily for British fans, there’s an alternative. In 2011 the legendary cult event Oktoberfest London was launched to bring Deutsche delights to our own capital.
In normal times, the real deal is held annually in Munich, Bavaria and is attended by millions of global visitors. Now only the lucky countries where the virus has retreated (somewhat) and pandemic restrictions have eased, get to honour and revere the best authentic German food and beer at the annual festivities.
At Quattro Foods we’re celebrating Oktoberfest from the comfort of our South coast HQ. But that’s not to say we’re missing out on the spirit of the event. We love German food, so we’re bringing you our list of favourites. Bitte schon!
We’d normally share simple recipes but with these intricate and specialist delicacies we recommend leaving it to the professionals. Find a local German artisan shop or bakery. These can be complicated and messy to create at home. Believe us, we know.
Sind sie bereit? Let’s go!
Do we have permission to do things a little upside down and start with the sweet stuff? We thought you’d say yes.
1. Apfelstrudel
Apple strudel is actually Austrian, but for today’s purposes let’s embrace the fact that Germany adopted it into its local cuisine centuries ago. The buttery pastry is filled with sugar and cinnamon flavoured apples with a sprinkling of raisins. You can (try to) make the delicate flaky pastry from an elastic dough, which you have to knead and stretch until it’s paper-thin, then wrap around the apple filling and bake until the pastry is brown and the filling bubbles out. And enjoy this delectable dessert with a traditional glass of port. We made up that tradition but we like it.
2. Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte
If you’re going for a slice of this, make it huge. A little taste is never enough. It literally means black forest cherry torte and was named after a liqueur distilled from tart cherries, rather than the region. German law actually mandates that Kirschwasser must be present in the cake for it to be called a Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. They do take things seriously the Germans, especially their cakes. And we don’t blame them. Rich chocolate cake layered with cherries, and whipped cream and more cream, and more cherries. Oh, and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings. It’s a taste of heaven.
3. Käsespätzle
This is German pasta. Well, a kind of pasta. The soft egg noodles are made from wheat flour and egg and topped with cheese and roasted onions. The general rule is to use one more egg than the number of guests and serve it with saucy meat dishes or stews. Toasty comfort on a plate – a real winter warmer.
4. Kartoffelpuffer
These are shallow pan-fried pancakes made from ground potatoes mixed with flour, egg and onion and topped with sour cream or apple sauce. Either works for us. We’re big fans of classic seasonal treats at Quattro and these are a staple at German outdoor winter markets.
Happy Oktoberfest – Guten Appetit!