Her Majesty, the Potato!
One of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of modern nutrition was the advent of the potato. Potatoes appeared in Europe in the 18th century and became more widespread in the 19th century, replacing the turnips and pumpkins that had previously dominated the dining table. Potatoes were especially important because they helped to stave off famine when climate conditions destroyed cereal crops. Before the 18th century, potatoes were considered exotic plants and used mostly for ornamental purposes.
KUGELIS
- The Lithuanian word “kugelis” comes from the German word “kugel,” meaning “ball.”
- Kugelis, the food, was invented by the Jewish community and eventually became a traditional Lithuanian dish.
- In other countries, kugelis is made from flour and cooked in the oven in round pots (“kugeltopf”). In Lithuania, kugelis is made primarily from potatoes and bits of bacon, or “spirgučiai.”
- The typical sauce for kugelis is made with more “spirgučiai” in sour cream, with optional mushrooms for extra flavor.
How to make kugelis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9mFb03H1oo
CEPELINAI
- Cepelinai, also known as “didžkukuliai,” first appeared in Lithuania around 100-150 years ago. It is thought that cepelinai were introduced to Lithuania in one of two ways. The first is through German Lithuania Minor and the second is through the Litvaks, the Jews of Lithuania, in whose taverns cepelinai could have been a very desirable dish.
- The first recipes for cepelinai in Lithuania were published in the 1935 edition of the cookbook “Ką valgome?“ (“What are we eating?“) edited by Elena Repčytė-Starkienė. The recipes instructed home chefs to use uncooked potato gratings.
- The Lithuanian word “cepelinas” comes from the German word “zeppelin,” which refers to the iconic airship invented and manufactured by Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Lithuanians enjoy eating cepelinai made from raw or boiled potatoes (or sometimes a mix of both). The center may contain a variety of fillings: meat, cottage cheese, or mushrooms. The typical sauce for cepelinai is made with sour cream, bacon, onions, and mushrooms.
How to make cepelinai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-rQvSQLAGs
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