Pinterest

Griechenschmaltz

by Susan Nagel
(Houston, TX)


My husband would always buy this at one of the stalls in the WeinachtsMarkt when we lived in Augsburg in the 70's and 80's. Personally I always thought it was disgusting LOL but he absolutely loved it. Usually I was at the kartoffelpuffer stand loading up on groups of 3 mit apfelmuss. Those were the days!

====

Hallo Susan,

You have me on this one! I've never heard of "Griechenschmaltz".

Schmaltz is rendered goose, chicken, or pork fat. It is used for frying and adding flavour to the dish. AND, it is used as a spread for bread (instead of butter).

I recall my Mutti making schmaltz. She would use pork fat and we'd love to eat the 'cracklings' after. Sometimes she would fry onions with the fat to flavour it. Often, she'd leave the bits of cracklings and onions in the schmaltz. Delicious on bread.

My Vati used to sprinkle celery salt over the schmaltz on his home-made rye bread. I loved that and do that to this day.

I have a German Deli close to where I live in Ontario and often buy the schmaltz to use for frying. It reminds me a bit of using bacon fat which adds great flavour to whatever I'm cooking.

However, the term Griechenschmaltz is new. I'm hoping some of our readers recognize this and enlighten us in it.

Blessings,
Gerhild

Comments for Griechenschmaltz

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 11, 2022
 I just knew iit as Schmaltz
by: Wally Lawrence

Hi Susan,

Im your 2nd cousin Wally. I remember Grandma Stephanie calling it Schmaltz. I remember her pouring bacon greese into a jar that was left on top of the stove. We would eat it with her home made Rye bread. I miss those days.
Jun 25, 2021
 Memories
by: Susan

I lost my mom a few weeks ago and she used to make smalz with bacon in it. I wish I would have asked her how to make it. It brings back a lot of memories
Nov 16, 2020
 Raw bacon
by: Anonymous

An old guy that I knew once told me that he would put bacon in the freezer for a month, then it was safe to eat without cooking. I didn’t understand why one might eat it that way. His sister told me that it had a close resemblance to the home cured ham that he had grown up eating.
Dec 08, 2016
 Griebenschmaltz
by: Anonymous

Griebenschmaltz, not 100% of the spelling, is what I found in supermarkets in Germany. If I recall it was like more than 90% pork fat, salted and contained bits of apple. There may have been a few varieties. It came in a small tub and one brand was not refrigerated. Price was less than 2 euros, maybe closer to 1 euro.

I spreaded it on bread and it was ok. It was kind of like bacon grease. I would like to try the chicken or goose fat variety. Although now I use
pure chicken fat that came from cooking chicken to spread on bread. It's quite good!
Apr 12, 2013
 Raw Bacon Memories
by: Gerhild

Somehow thinking about Griebenschmaltz reminded me of my Mutti sending me to school with bacon sandwiches. Not nicely cooked and crispy bacon, but raw bacon!

I must admit it sounded odd, but it was very German. With nicely smoked thick cut bacon cut into small pieces on a piece of fresh bread, it tasted yummy.

I just learned quickly not to tell my classmates what I had for lunch. I really didn't like being made fun of :-)
Jan 27, 2013
 Griechenschmaltz
by: Anne Cummings-Levasier

Griebenschmalz, exactly!!! Oh I remember this. Just think about a nice slice of real german bread, maybe even still warm a bit and the schmalz is almost melting and you bite in it and have the texture of the grieben ( fat and skin pieces ). Einfach koestlich :)
Jan 26, 2013
 Griebenschmaltz
by: Gerhild

Susan, I think we figured it out. How nice it is to have the Quick German Recipes Facebook page where one of our readers, Renate, called it by it's name "Griebenschmaltz".

That brought back memories of what my Mutti called it. The Grieben are the bits of cracklings that are in the Schmaltz.

Puzzle solved :-)

Thanks, Susan, for bringing back these memories to me.

Blessings,
Gerhild

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Looking for a Recipe?.

Follow Oma on Social Media:

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Newest Recipes

RSS

  1. Easy Homemade German Spaetzle Recipe – Oma's Egg Noodles

    german-spaetzle-red-bowl-web.jpg
    Make the perfect German Spaetzle with Oma's easy recipe! This traditional German egg noodle pairs perfectly with caramelized onions for a delicious meal.

    Go to Recipe

  2. Easy German Schnitzel Recipe (pork): The Authentic Schweineschnitzel

    German Schnitzel recipe made just like Oma
    Discover the ultimate German schnitzel recipe with Oma's quick, easy, and delicious pork version - perfect for any occasion! Taste the authentic flavors of Germany today.

    Go to Recipe

  3. German Apple Strudel Recipe – Oma's Apfelstrudel Rezept

    german apple strudel 600 2020
    This easy German Apple Strudel recipe is one of those German desserts that brings the traditional strudel taste to your table without all the work. Wunderbar!!

    Go to Recipe

*  *  *  *  *

Words to the Wise

"When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful."

Proverbs 29:18 (NLT)

Popular Links

Breads

Cakes

Cookies

Desserts

Dumplings

Meats

Spätzle

Salads

Soups

Vegetables

Vegan

Oktoberfest

Cookbooks

More Information

Terms & Conditions

eCookbook FAQ

Site Map

Privacy Policy

Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | All Rights Reserved

Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I will not promote products I do not own or would not buy myself. My goal is to provide you with product information and my own personal opinions or ideas.  At times, I will showcase services, programs, and products. I aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, I may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.


Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information

copyscape image