Kottenbutter facts for kids
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| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Region or state | Rhineland |
| Main ingredients | Brown bread, butter, smoked pork sausage, onion rings and spread with spicy mustard |
Kottenbutter (sometimes called Kottenbotter) is a special kind of sandwich from Germany. It is very popular in the Bergisches Land region, which is in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
This tasty sandwich is made with buttered brown bread. It also has smoked pork sausage, fresh onion rings, and a spread of spicy mustard. Sometimes, people make different versions. For example, they might use horse meat sausage or a food called Balkenbrij instead of pork.
Contents
What is the Kottenbutter's Story?
How the Kottenbutter Got Its Name
The Kottenbutter is a traditional food from the Bergisches Land area. It was a common lunch for metal workers who lived along the Wupper River. These workers were in towns like Remscheid, Wuppertal, and especially Solingen. They used big grinding wheels powered by the river to sharpen knives and smooth out steel.
The workers often lived and worked in small grinding houses. These houses were a bit like small cottages, which in German are called Kotten. Because the sandwich was eaten in these Kotten, it got the name Kottenbutter.
A Quick and Filling Meal for Workers
The metal workers had a tough and dangerous job. They had to grind steel items very quickly. Even though their work was hard, they often could not afford a big, proper meal.
So, the Kottenbutter was created as a fast and easy lunch. It was also packed with calories, which gave the workers lots of energy. This made it a perfect meal to keep them going during their long, busy days.
Kottenbutter Today
Today, the Kottenbutter is still a well-known specialty in the Bergisches Land region. You can often find it on lists of local foods to try. People sometimes eat it at special events or celebrations.
It is also a popular snack at "Kaffeetafel" meetings. This is when local groups gather to enjoy tea or coffee, often with a Kottenbutter. For example, in August 2021, the local newspaper Solinger Tageblatt even joked that offering Kottenbutter might encourage older people to get their Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2010, something very special happened. To celebrate 100 years since the Lüttringhausen town hall was built, a local butcher and baker worked together. They made a giant Kottenbutter that was 32 meters (about 105 feet) long! This huge sandwich was a big hit at a local festival.
See also
In Spanish: Kottenbutter para niños
