Wiener schnitzel facts for kids
Wiener Schnitzel is a famous dish from Austria. It's a thin piece of meat, usually veal, covered in breadcrumbs and then fried until it's golden and crispy. In German, Wiener Schnitzel means "Viennese Schnitzel," and Schnitzel means a boneless cut of meat.
This dish is a big part of Viennese and Austrian food culture. In Austria, people often eat Wiener Schnitzel with a slice of lemon, some lingonberry jam, and either potato salad or potatoes with parsley and butter.
It's important to know that real Wiener Schnitzel must be made from veal. In Austria, the name "Wiener Schnitzel" is protected by law. If a schnitzel is made from pork, it's usually called Schnitzel Wiener Art (Viennese style schnitzel) in Germany or Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein (Viennese schnitzel from pork) in Austria. This helps everyone know it's not the original veal version.
Some people think Wiener Schnitzel might have come from Milan, a city in northern Italy. There, a similar dish called cotoletta alla milanese was popular. It might have arrived in Vienna a long time ago, possibly in the 1400s or 1500s. Another idea is that a general named Radetzky brought it to Vienna in 1857. He spent a lot of time in Milan. The name Wiener Schnitzel itself has been used since at least 1862.
Schnitzel Around the World
Schnitzel is a popular dish that has traveled all over the world! Many countries have their own versions or dishes inspired by it.
For example, when German immigrants came to Texas in the 1800s, they used their schnitzel recipes to create a dish called Chicken fried steak. This is a very popular food in the southwestern United States. Even Chicken tenders are a bit like schnitzel, as they are also breaded and fried pieces of meat.
You can find schnitzel in other places too. Israel has its own type of schnitzel, which is very common there. Countries with many German people, like Argentina, also enjoy schnitzel.
Schnitzel is often served as a main meal on a plate. When it's served this way, it sometimes comes with "Spätzle," which are a type of German egg noodle. But you can also find schnitzel in sandwiches, making it a tasty and easy meal on the go!
Images for kids
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A Wiener schnitzel served at a restaurant in Carinthia, Austria
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In Nordic countries, Wienerschnitzel is often garnished with anchovy and capers, unlike the original Austrian version.
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A pork schnitzel variation stuffed with fried mushrooms and onions (Fuhrmann Schnitzel vom Schwein), served with mashed potato and side salad
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See also
In Spanish: Wiener Schnitzel para niños
