For 3 years in the 1970's I lived in Stuttgart, W. Germany where "Octoberfest" was 13 months a year & Wurst was the "go-to" Comfort Food; whether you knew what was in it or not! I kid you not - once I saw a dog walk into a Restaurant Kitchen and never came out!
At first I felt very "Henry the VIII-ish" eating it; with a slippery hot Wurst in one hand, a hard roll (Brotch-en) in the other and Mustard dribbling down my chin. In Germany there's no such thing as "Wurst Envy" - there's too many to judge! In fact; it never crossed my mind that it could be Phallic - I was too busy looking for a fork!
Of course, you always had to have "Pomme Frites" with it. Vegetable? Who needs nutrition - I'm "Stormin' Castles" later! Anyway, Sauerkraut is a Vegetable, isn't it? In Germany; you get it with everything. And here's how to make it yourself...don't go away, fellas!
50 pounds of Cabbage, Vinegar & 2 pounds of Salt!
As you can imagine; it should be made in a large quantity; otherwise what's the point? If you're really serious and have a VAT; I'll send directions.
Any Sausage Shop that takes itself seriously has 50 or 60 different kinds of Sausages on hand at all times: White, Gray, Tan, Red, Brown & Black Wursts - varying in their Meat Fillings, Seasonings, Size, Shape & Casings. To name a few; there's Weisswurst, Bratwurst, Bockwurst, Mettwurst, Knockwurst, Bauernwurst, Zwiebelwurst and the Frankfurter - from where else - Frankfurt.
I cannot leave out the ever present Beer & Wine that is consumed before, during & after every meal; and everything in between - starting early in the morning. In fact, when my family & I moved back to the States at 8 AM; our Movers had already been drinking. So much for Aunt Tilly's Antique Vase!
Except in dire Emergencies; Germans (send your cards & letters to...) never touch Water - least of all at a Restaurant Table. Should an American ask for Water; he or she is surely to receive a strange look from the Waiter! And when ordering Beer - foreigners are advised to ask for "ein Kleines" if they want a small glass; "ein Grosses", if they want to drown their sorrows or "ein Krug" if they want to drown themselves!
This subject could cover many Blogs as the Vineyards & Breweries were our neighbors; and somehow I look upon these people not as Card-Carrying drunks - but as people who enjoy life & its oral pleasures - besides; I'm in enough trouble as it is; what with "The Heimlich Maneuver" - who knew "Heimlich" didnt like to be touched?
But don't get me wrong; there are many more hearty items on the Menus besides Wurst; the Europeans shut their Shoppes up tight Midday; take a long leisurely 2 hours & don't budge from their Tables - they can't!
BTW: I was the one "with the Water"! But you already knew that!
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V.Corso
OS Weekend Fiction Club
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Blinddream
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Rob St. Amant
Salon.com
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