Oktoberfest Food and Celebrations
Oktoberfest food! Yummy, yummy.These are such hearty German recipes to celebrate October, which is such a wonderful time of the year! Fall celebrations abound. Fall fairs and harvest festivals are such wonderful family outings. 
However, one of the most famous, world-known events that occurs at this time of the year is Oktoberfest. Known for its beer tents, delicious Oktoberfest food, and the “om-pa-pa” bands, it is a celebration that occurs not only in Munich, Germany, but around the world. What is Oktoberfest?What started as a marriage celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 18, 1810 in Munich, Germany, is still celebrated almost 200 years later and is known as Oktoberfest. In 1810, a huge horse race was the central attraction. Years later, it became a carnival. Now, it is a rocking, music-filled, “food and drink” fest that celebrates the Bavarian culture. Similar Oktoberfest activities are held world-wide with Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario's version well-known. When is Oktoberfest?Oktoberfest has been held almost every year since 1810. It has only been canceled 24 times due to disease (plagues) or war. The nicer weather in September has brought changes to the dates, so that the celebration starts 17 days before the first Sunday in October when the party ends. Oktoberfest CelebrationsAsk almost anyone what Oktoberfest is about and they will tell you: beer and food. But, there is more than that.
From 1950 onwards, a 12-gun salute and the tapping of the first beer keg by the Mayor of Munich signals the opening of Oktoberfest. And yes, beer and food is the main part. Over 6 million visitors (2007 stats) to Munich's Oktoberfest feast on traditional Bavarian foods. There are many tents set up (the largest, Hofbräu-Festhalle, holds 10,000 people!) for eating and drinking. To keep these beer tents and the overall Oktoberfest “family friendly”, only traditional music is played until 6 pm. After that, the louder pop music is heard. How You Can Celebrate Oktoberfest
Even if you can't go to Munich, or one of the other Oktoberfest sites, you can still enjoy the traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest food. These include chicken, roast pork, grilled fish, many types of sausage including Weisswurst, haxn (pork hocks) pretzels, bread or potato dumplings, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and red cabbage. Include some pretzels, apple cider, and German cakes and tortes. Check out the following recipes ideas. They are hearty, traditional Oktoberfest food that's easy to make at home. Serve them up with German music in the background, decorate your table in the traditional German colors of black, red, and yellow or in the official colors of Bavaria which is cobalt blue and white, and celebrate your very own Oktoberfest. Subscribe to our free Quick Fix ezine filled with recipes, updates, etc. Check out these Oktoberfest food recipes below:Baked Pork Chops and Sauerkraut - a family-pleaserBreaded Pork Chops - Schnitzel, only thicker and juicier Green Cabbage - this is about as traditional as one can get! Homemade Sausage - patties taste like the real thing Roast Pork - Yummy! Smoked Pork Chops - the traditional kasseler chops - real easy Kasseler Chops with Sauerkraut - always tender, great for company Oven Fried Chicken - finger linkin' good! Pork Chop Dinner - a full-course meal from scratch in 30 minutes Pork and Sauerkraut - A slowcooker complete meal Pork Hocks - a real Octoberfest food! Delicious Pork Hocks & Sauerkraut - traditionally eaten dunked in mustard Potato Pancakes - the traditional German pancake Red Cabbage - goes with almost anything Sauerkraut - traditional side for sausages Top of Oktoberfest Food Quick German Recipes Home New! CommentsHave your say! Leave a comment in the box below. |
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