studentsineurope

Christmas Market Munchies

A plate of Kaiserschmarrn

If you have the chance to visit one of Europe’s famous Christmas markets, it is absolutely imperative that you take the time to taste some of the local specialties that are to be had. Since these markets are not simply just for shopping, but rather a chance to mingle with friends and strangers alike, it is quite common to find crowds of people gathered at picnic tables or in front of stands holding hot drinks and sampling the local flavor.

With an array of sweets, drinks, and baked goods, there is no shortage of food to keep you satisfied while strolling through the markets. This is a chance for a country to showcase its specialties to the world. In all actuality, the hardest decision might not be deciding what to buy, but rather what to eat!

Lebkuchen: While it may not come in the fun form of a house covered in icing, these soft Gingerbread cookies are extremely popular at the German Christmas Markets.

Trdlo: It’s hard to not to come across one of the many Trdlo stands that are dotted all over Prague. This is a crunchy, sweet, and nutty Czech dessert that is baked right before your eyes. Long strands of dough are wrapped around large metal rolling pins, and then placed over an open fire where they are slowly rolled until slightly crispy. Directly after they are rolled in sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts and slid off the metal bar directly into your hand.

Kaiserschmarrn: Literally translated it means the “Emperor’s mess,” but this Austrian specialty is heaven’s incarnate! Cooked in a gigantic wok, this pancake-like dish made of eggs, flour, sugar, and vanilla is cooked to a crisp while the inside remains fluffy and light. It is hard to keep from drooling as you take in the image of those golden chunks laced with powdered sugar. Top it off with either applesauce or plum sauce, and you have yourself one of the most delectable desserts you have ever tasted.

It is impossible not to run into a Trdlo stand in Prague

Quarkballen: Much like its sister, the jelly-filled Berliner, the Quarkballen is one of the German equivalents of a doughnut. However, what makes the Quarkballen special is that it is made with quark, a soft, white, and unaged cheese that often comes in a liquidy yogurt-like form. Deep fried and rolled in sugar, it has an amazingly moist and chewy center that is guaranteed to please.

Mulled Wine: This beverage is a staple of pretty much every Christmas market in Europe.  Comprised of wine, spices, and sometimes a little liquor, it is stirred slowly while it heats to perfection in a large vat. Served piping hot, mulled wine is just the thing to keep you warm and comfy on your shopping excursion.

Chestnuts: Of course we all know that famous line, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” from the song aptly named “The Christmas Song.” However, it wasn’t until coming to Europe that I actually saw this put into practice. Huge pans filled with the smooth brown nuts leave an unmistakable smell wafting throughout the markets. The end result is a texture that proves to be very bizarre for a nut, grainy, but both soft and smooth, it is definitely an acquired taste.