Chowing Down at the Christmas Market

'Egg Punch'
Unfortunately, not as good as eggnog!

When we go to the Christmas market, it is quite clear that eating, drinking, and being merry is what people are there to do!  The food at the market if far from healthy, and certainly not gourmet, but it is just so much fun to eat sausage outside surrounded by Christmas cheer.

'Fire Sausage' and French fries
REALLY spicy

This year I tried to get around to the different food stands and try the different offerings. Unfortunately, it often didn't occur to me to take a picture of something until there were only two bites left.   But, I thought I could share the pics I did manage to take.

Fresh-made waffle with cinnamon sugar

There was a stand that offered small cheese and antipasti trays, which we hit up a couple of times.  It was a nice way to try some new cheeses that we wouldn't typically have chosen.  They also offered baguettes smeared with different flavored cream-cheese-type spreads that looked delicious.

Roasted Chestnuts

It is amazing to me that the food is served on real dishes with real utensils.  When you pay for a meal, you give a deposit that you then get back when you return the dishes.  I think that would never happen in the US, where we always get plastic throw-away dishes and utensils!

Gulash soup

 Something we discovered this year were the 'feuerzangenbowle'.  With a cup of mulled red wine, a spoon is placed over the top with a sugar cube, and extra rum poured over the cube.  The rum is then lit on fire and the sugar caramelizes and drips into the wine.  It is a fun drink, but a bit terrifying trying to push through the crowd of people with a fire ball in your hand. 

'Fire-Tongs Punch' mulled wine
Feuerzangenbowle



Fried apple cake with cinnamon sugar

The apple cakes, along with the candied nuts were my favorite indulgences at the market.  The kids loved the made-to-order cotton candy, baked apples, and bratwurst.  Needless to say, 'go on a diet' is at the top of my New Year's Resolutions. 

Traditional gingerbread heart cookie
It says 'My sweetie'

We so enjoyed the festive atmosphere at the Christmas market, with the tantalizing aroma of all the different foods.  Going to the market was a fun way to spend some family-time together, and it was fun to bump into friends there.  While this was our second Christmas in Germany, I am already sad that next Christmas will probably be our last here.  Seeing these wonderful differences in culture and traditions is the reason we are here, and we are loving (almost) every minute!