Soft pretzels, schnitzel, brats and beer are synonymous with German cuisine. Hearty foods served with sauerkraut, German mustard and endless steins of beer are celebrated worldwide during Oktoberfest, which runs for two weeks ending on the first Sunday in October.
The holiday marks the 1810 wedding of the Bavarian Crown Prince Louis and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. According to HopCulture.com, Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier is the most served beer during Munich’s official Oktoberfest.
My paternal grandmother made the best German potato pancakes with sour cream or applesauce.
Beer tasting, Bratwurst eating contests and costumes abound at local Oktoberfest celebrations.
At home, you can craft your own Oktoberfest feast to celebrate with friends and family.
Traditional German food
Pork, potatoes, cabbage and apples are native to Germany and create a delicious foundation for many recipes. Schnitzel is thinly pounded pork that is breaded, fried and served with a side of spaetzle, a noodle dish. Both are signature German dishes.
Sauerkraut and cabbage are also common on the plate. Braised cabbage, red cabbage cooked with apples (Blaukraut) served with pork roast and stuffed cabbage are popular. Sauerkraut with sausage, bratwurst or slow-cooked pork is part of German cuisine. Sauerbraten is a pot roast prepared with marinated meat and slow-cooked.
Potatoes are a mainstay in many German dishes. German potato salad, potato dumplings and potato pancakes are delicious ways to eat potatoes.
Germany is also known for its bread. Pumpernickel, marbled bread, rye bread and dinner rolls use whole grains such as rye, spelt, millet and wheat.
Black Forest cake, apple strudel and Bavarian cream are signature sweets served during Oktoberfest.
My maternal grandmother’s specialty was slow-cooked pork and sauerkraut that she prepared for my German grandfather. My paternal grandmother made the best German potato pancakes served with sour cream or applesauce.
Beer
Cooking with beer is not uncommon. Germans add beer to stews, soups and cheese sauces. Adding beer to a recipe lends a rich, earthy flavor to foods. Obatzter or Obatzda, is a traditional Bavarian cheese dip made with camembert cheese, butter and German beer. It goes well with soft pretzels and a hearty rustic German bread. Melt the ingredients in a pot and add a dash of paprika and caraway. It’s a perfect dip for a warm soft pretzel.
Germany is renowned for its beer. Local breweries will pull out their best German brews for this fall’s Oktoberfest celebrations. Pilsners, Lagers, Kolsch and Bock are just a few. The taps will be flowing.
If you yearn for a taste of German food before Oktoberfest, Himmel Haus in South Lake Tahoe is your best bet. They offer the best in German cuisine in Tahoe. Taste of Europe in South Lake Tahoe offers some German dishes as does Swiss Lakewood in Homewood, where you can dine on Wienerschnitzel and spätzle.
Grandma Sydelle’s German Potato Pancakes
Adapted by Priya Hutner
4 baking potatoes
1 onion
2 eggs (beaten)
1 T flour
1½ t coarse salt
1 t pepper
Vegetable oil for frying
Sour cream & applesauce for topping
Grate potatoes and onion in a bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt and pepper. Mix well and form into a small pancake.
Heat oil in a pan. Add a large spoonful of potato mixture to the pan. Cook until browned on each side.
For a healthier version, bake pancakes in the oven on a lightly greased sheet pan at 375F for about 15 minutes. Flip over 8 to 10 minutes into the baking process. Serve with applesauce and sour cream.
Oktoberfest celebrations
- Sept. 23 | Tahoe City
- Sept. 30 | Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley
- Sept. 30 | Tahoe Backyard, Kings Beach
- Oct. 1 | South of North Brewing, South Lake Tahoe
