More on Brats: the Nuremberg version
From the German Information Center newsletter:
Finer and smaller than the usual bratwurst, the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, usually measuring between 2¾ and 3½ inches long, has a distinctive flavor of marjoram. As its name suggests, it may only be produced in the city of Nuremberg, which is located in the state of Bavaria and the region of Franconia. The city’s location at the crossing point of two important early trade routes ensured that spices were readily available for its production.
Like the Thuringian version, this brat also boasts a centuries-old history. Record of its existence can be traced back to the year 1462, and its diminutive size has been common since at least 1573. One of the legends surrounding its distinctive size is that the sausages were made to fit through the keyhole of the prison cell gates. One prisoner, the Middle Age patrician and town magistrate Hans Stromer, still currently holds the Nuremberger bratwurst record. After being given a lifelong sentence for “sacrilegious talk and the evil suspicion of not being loyal to the city,” his last wish was to be given two Nuremberger sausages each day. During his 38years behind bars, it is estimated that he consumed more than 27,000 bratwurst.
These grilled, finger-sized sausages are served in groups. From a street vendor, you may receive an order of three sausages in a roll with mustard. In one of Nuremberg’s historical bratwurst kitchens, however, you would order them by the dozen or half-dozen. These are typically served up on a pewter plate with sauerkraut and German farmer’s bread or a side of potato salad and horseradish. Another local favorite is Blue Zipfel, which is also known as Sour Zipfel. To make this dish, the brats are simmered in a wine, onion and vinegar mixture, which gives the sausages a bluish color.
“Die Würste sind meinem Magen schöne Vergissmeinnicht” (These sausages are to my stomach the most beautiful forget-me-nots), poet Jean Paul once raved about the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst. He and Goethe, who lived in Weimar at the time, were such fans of the petite sausages that they apparently had them ordered via delivery mail.
Finer and smaller than the usual bratwurst, the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, usually measuring between 2¾ and 3½ inches long, has a distinctive flavor of marjoram. As its name suggests, it may only be produced in the city of Nuremberg, which is located in the state of Bavaria and the region of Franconia. The city’s location at the crossing point of two important early trade routes ensured that spices were readily available for its production.
Like the Thuringian version, this brat also boasts a centuries-old history. Record of its existence can be traced back to the year 1462, and its diminutive size has been common since at least 1573. One of the legends surrounding its distinctive size is that the sausages were made to fit through the keyhole of the prison cell gates. One prisoner, the Middle Age patrician and town magistrate Hans Stromer, still currently holds the Nuremberger bratwurst record. After being given a lifelong sentence for “sacrilegious talk and the evil suspicion of not being loyal to the city,” his last wish was to be given two Nuremberger sausages each day. During his 38years behind bars, it is estimated that he consumed more than 27,000 bratwurst.
These grilled, finger-sized sausages are served in groups. From a street vendor, you may receive an order of three sausages in a roll with mustard. In one of Nuremberg’s historical bratwurst kitchens, however, you would order them by the dozen or half-dozen. These are typically served up on a pewter plate with sauerkraut and German farmer’s bread or a side of potato salad and horseradish. Another local favorite is Blue Zipfel, which is also known as Sour Zipfel. To make this dish, the brats are simmered in a wine, onion and vinegar mixture, which gives the sausages a bluish color.
“Die Würste sind meinem Magen schöne Vergissmeinnicht” (These sausages are to my stomach the most beautiful forget-me-nots), poet Jean Paul once raved about the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst. He and Goethe, who lived in Weimar at the time, were such fans of the petite sausages that they apparently had them ordered via delivery mail.
posted by Papa, aka Don at 4:19 PM
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