Ore Mountain cuisine
This article describes the regional cuisine of the Ore Mountains.
The kitchen in the Ore Mountains for centuries has been shaped by the changing economic conditions in mining, handicrafts, forestry and through homework. This reflects on the one hand the simplicity of cooking ingredients, the art of improvisation and creativity of the Erzgebirge housewife resist, on the other hand, there were in the mansions of a very rich cuisine. Particularly the men of Schoenberg, who had excellent relations with the court to Dresden, also like showed their wealth to the table. They also benefited by the strategic location of their castles in Sidon and Purschenstein who were on a so-called road salt, from long-distance trade. Through the teamsters they came into the possession and enjoyment of exotic spices and knowledge, which also benefited from their kitchens.
History
With each mining rush ( ie with new Erzfunden ) experienced the Erzgebirge since the 12th century, a new wave of immigrants. Accordingly, the cuisine of the region has recorded numerous influences from the region of origin of the settlers. Particularly influential for today's typical dishes is the 18th century. As last 1771/72 a great famine broke out in the mountains of potato cultivation was promoted especially by the Church in the so-called " Knoll sermons ". The potato plant thrived on poor soils and harsh climate of the mountains and became the preferred food of the Ore Mountains. It developed a wide range of cooking options, which continue to shape today's traditional cuisine.
Typical dishes
Traditionally widely used are various forms of potato pancakes that are eaten both sweet or savory main dish or as a side dish with meat. These include in particular:
- Grimaces
- Klitscher, in other dialects: slippers
- Buttermilk dishes
- Heidelbeergetzen
Typical are still potato pancakes made of potatoes, the best known is the so-called Rauchemaad.
For Christmas, celebrated especially complex in the Erzgebirge, the Neinerlaa is cooked until today in many households. The individual ingredients will vary from region to region, sometimes from village to village. In any case nine ingredients are served on Christmas Eve, for example, rose hip soup, bratwurst, sauerkraut and lenses, each of which has a special meaning for the coming year. For example, are dumplings for wealth, celery for fertility.