Food an Tradition

Even though this native of Texas has now been living in Regensburg for three years, some things still manage to surprise her.

Centuries and generations have passed since the first influx of immigrants came to America, beginning in the colonial period and extending into the turn of the twentieth century. We are the land of immigrants, but most of us who aren’t newly immigrated have lost some of our cultural roots, traditions and languages. This is why when you speak to an American, they say, “Oh yeah, I am 20% Dutch, 30% Cherokee Indian, half Irish and my great-great grandpa was from Bavaria.” Most of us can’t speak more than one language, and I am almost sure that most Americans have never experienced real Bavarian food unless one has come to Bavaria.

Coming from Texas, where beef is our specialty, I was taken back by the fact that Bavarian food is mostly pork. Especially since Bavaria is a land of green, lush meadows being grazed on by Milka Cows. Where are the steak houses? Germany just has nice looking cows, why don’t we just eat them? Pigs have gone through enough years of oppression, now it’s time to eat a yummy T-Bone. I know I might sound a little bit biased here… but I loooove steak. And “No”, Americans don’t eat only Mc Donalds, quite the contrary.

Oh, and here is another culinary odditiy in the eyes of an American: Can anyone tell me what is going with Spargel (Asparagus)? I have never known people to be so obsessed with a vegetable. I can´t see Americans saying “Egg Plant is in season! We gotta get some now!”  Spargel is a pale stick that grows underneath the earth that comes out once a year in May - ok, maybe that is why its special. Spargel Soup, Spargel Salad, and Spargel as a side dish, Spargel with sauce, or Spargel with virtually anything. You won’t be surprised that you will find Spargel at the end of any dish. It’s all about Spargel. Does Spargel come with Schweinshaxen, as well? I once ordered a Schweinshaxen, and it looked like a I killed the pig myself. The waitress slapped a plate on the table with a hunk of meat the size of my stomach and a huge embarrassing bone sticking out of it. Is there such a thing as Schweinshaxen for women? Couldn’t we have piglethaxen?

I may be perplexed by Bavarian food, tradition, way of life, but it’s also something to be embraced. Americans may have lost some tradition, but it’s never too late to gain some back.

9.07.09 - online redaktion