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The seven best and seven 'wurst' German dishes

The Local Germany
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The seven best and seven 'wurst' German dishes
'Spargel' being served in a Munich restaurant. Photo: DPA

We take a look at Germany's seven worst and best seven dishes, starting with 'the wurst' and ending on a high.

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The seven 'wurst' dishes

1. Schlachtplatte

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

As the name suggests the Schlachtplatte (slaughter dish) is a hearty plate full of freshly slaughtered meat. Traditionally the dish was only eaten on the day of the killing before fridges where invented, and it uses nearly every part of the pig. Consisting of blood sausage, liver sausage, and boiled pork belly and innards, the dish is for committed meat eaters only.

For a shot of vitamin C and a dose of fibre, the dish is served with sauerkraut and boiled potatoes

2. Mettwurst

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Germans really do love their pork. Not a nation to let anything go to waste, Germans will eat every part of the pig except the squeal. Dished up in many imaginative ways, they also like to eat it raw.

Mettwurst is raw minced pork that has been cured and usually eaten spread on toast or bread rolls, frequently sold at bakeries. For special occasions the Mettwurst is turned into a Hackepeter – a large hedgehog made out of minced pork with raw onion for its spines.

3. Schweinskopfsülze

Photo: Shutterstock

And it doesn't stop there. Next up is the Schweinskopfsülze, a gelatinous dish served cold. Encased in a savoury jelly (aspic), it's the pig's head and trotters that go into making this delicacy. Enhanced with gherkins, onions and additional spices, the Sülze is sliced and served with Bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes).

4. Tote Oma

Photo: Youtube/screenshot

Nope, it has nothing to do with eating dead grandmas. Tote Oma (dead grandma) is essentially minced up blood sausage fried with onions and bacon.

A customary dish in the former GDR, Tote Oma originally hails from the state of Thuringia, but it is less popular nowadays. Tote Oma is also known as “Verkehrsunfall” (traffic accident).

5. Harzer Käse

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

We take a break from the meat, and bring you Harzer Käse, the cheese that could knock out a small army with its smell. Originating from the Harz mountain region in central Germany, the low fat cheese is made of sour milk and comes in small rounds or as a roll. Great for dieters, bad for your social life.

This little cheese will stink out your fridge even if it is wrapped up. Eat it in a public place and people will move away from you – immediately. You have been warned.

6. Currywurst

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A controversial entry perhaps but why take a decent sausage, pour ketchup over it and then sprinkle it with tasteless curry powder.

7. Leberkäse
 
 
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Bavarian Leberkäse (literally meaning liver cheese) tops off our worst German food. The pink spongy rectangular meat actually has nothing dairy about it. A mix of corned beef, pork, bacon and onions ground together and then baked as a loaf, it is served hot and usually on a Semmel (bread roll).
 
 
The Seven Best Dishes
 
1. Apfelstrudel 
 
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
This is undoubtedly the king of German desserts, even though it originates from Vienna. When it is cold and snowing outside, there is nothing better to take away the chill than a freshly baked piece of hot apple strudel served with hot vanilla sauce. Nothing tops it.
 
2. Spargel (Asparagus)
 
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
Spargel with hollandaise sauce: Germans are passionate about their white Spargel (asparagus), and we think it tastes pretty good too. Cooked in a manner of delectable ways, the traditional way to eat it is lightly boiled and topped with a warm hollandaise sauce and eaten with boiled new potatoes. But you need to be quick, Spargel season ends on June 24th.
 
3. Brezel (Pretzel)
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
 
There is no better accompaniment to a German beer than a freshly baked Brezel. Delicious on their own or with butter or cream cheese, the Bavarian soft baked bread seasoned with sea salt is a German favourite.
 
4) Schnitzel
 
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
Schnitzel with warm potato salad: The first thing my friend from NY wanted to eat when he came to Germany for the first time, was Schnitzel. A big Wiener Schnitzel. The biggest one we could find. Schnitzel with warm potato salad or Pommes (chips) is probably one of the best-loved German dishes around the world. Just seeing my friend's happy contented face as he polished off the last crumb said it all.
 
5) Kalte Hund
 
 Photo: Wikimedia Commons
 
When my German ex-boyfriend's mother gave me some homemade Kalte Hund, I thought I had died and gone to cake heaven. I was hooked after just one slice. Kalte Hund (cold dog) is a delicious chocolate cake made with alternating layers of fudgey chocolate and crushed biscuit, covered in a cocoa-rich chocolatey sauce. And the genius thing about this cake is it doesn't even need to be baked.
 
6) Knödel
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
Germany's winters are harsh, which explains why their traditional dishes are hearty affairs, very meat-based and heavy on the carbs. Knödel (dumplings) are a staple in German winter fare, and can be made from flour, potatoes, old bread or semolina.
 
Shaped like balls, the Kartoffelknödel are particularly tasty and are usually eaten with pork or beef and gravy. And for vegetarians, there is the delicious spinach and parmesan cheese variety served with melted butter.
 
7) Käsespätzle
 
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
The pièce de résistance in German cuisine has to be Käsespätzle. Freshly made egg noodles (originally from Baden-Württemberg) mixed with grated cheese and topped with fried onion. They are so good (just not for the waistline) you could eat them every day.
 

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Anonymous 2020/03/11 21:03
Leberkäs is the worst and Knödel is the best. I’m done here.

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