Schleswig-Holstein cuisine facts for kids
The cuisine of Schleswig-Holstein is a special part of German cuisine. It shows influences from nearby regions like Lower Saxony and Friesland, and also from Denmark. Being close to the sea and having a cool climate really shapes what foods are available and how they are cooked.
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Delicious Dishes from Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is famous for many tasty dishes. One of the most well-known is Birnen, Bohnen und Speck, which means "Pears, Beans, and Bacon." It's a unique mix of sweet and savory flavors!
Other popular dishes you might find include:
- Grünkohl (kale) with different kinds of sausage and cured pork.
- Rote Grütze (red berry pudding), often served with fresh cream.
- Labskaus, a hearty dish usually made with corned beef, potatoes, and beetroot.
- Mehlbüdel, a type of dumpling served with sugar, melted butter, and pork.
- Schnüsch, a creamy vegetable stew made with milk.
- Rübenmalheur or Holsteiner Rübenmus, which are stews or mashed dishes made from rutabaga (a root vegetable).
- Holsteiner Sauerfleisch, a sour meat jelly.
- Fliederbeersuppe (elderberry soup).
- Buttermilchsuppe mit Klüten, a buttermilk soup with flour dumplings.
- Großer Hans, a kind of bread pudding.
- Nordseekrabben (North Sea shrimp).
Vegetables are often served with a special sauce called "Gestovtes Gemüse," made with butter and flour. In the city of Elmshorn, "Graue Erbsen" (grey peas) are a traditional food. Milk and meat products are very important in this region's cooking. Local specialties include cheeses from Holtsee and Holsteiner Katenschinken (a type of smoked ham).
Because Schleswig-Holstein is right by the sea, fish is a big part of its food. You'll often find dishes with Maischollen (plaice), Heringe (herring), and Kieler Sprotte (small smoked fish). Carp dishes are a tradition for New Year's Eve. For dessert, people sometimes enjoy vanilla ice cream with "Friesischer Bohnensuppe," which is a local liqueur.
Unique Taste: "Broken Sweetness"
One special thing about the food in Schleswig-Holstein is how it mixes sweet flavors with sour or salty ones. This combination is called "Broken sööt," which means "broken sweetness." It's especially common in dishes that are "söötsuur" (sweet-sour).
Many dishes have this "broken-sööt" taste, like Holsteiner Sauerfleisch or Rübenmalheur. This flavor comes from combining savory meat dishes with sweet side dishes. For example, in the famous Birnen, Bohnen und Speck stew, the sweetness of pears is balanced with the rich, savory bacon broth. Sometimes, this taste is created by cooking meat with vegetables for a long time and then serving it with sweet sides like caramelized potatoes or a sprinkle of sugar.
Often, the sweetness also comes from dried fruit like plums or raisins. These are used not only as stuffing for poultry but also as a side dish for grilled meats or fish, or even in chicken or beef broth.
Popular Drinks
Besides common drinks, the cuisine of Schleswig-Holstein features many local liqueurs. Korn is a popular spirit often drunk with beer. This combination is known as "Lütt un Lütt," meaning "small and small." Two famous beer brands from Schleswig-Holstein are Flensburger Pilsener and Dithmarscher Pilsener.
Hot drink specialties include "Tote Tante" ("dead aunt"), "Pharisäer" ("pharisee," a coffee drink with rum), and "Punch" (a type of warm, spiced drink).
Images for kids
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Sweet and tangy ingredients create the special "broken sööt" taste of Schleswig-Holstein cuisine.
See also
In Spanish: Gastronomía de Schleswig-Holstein para niños
