Reibekuchen is a German stir-fried potato cake commonly eaten with savory or sweet foods, especially during Christmas. It is made with grated potatoes, eggs, and onions, fried in hot oil, and served with apfelkompott. It is similar to latkes and often eaten on special occasions or during fasts.
Reibekuchen is a stir-fried potato cake made with flour, shredded potatoes and eggs, which is commonly eaten in and near the river that divides Germany from Belgium. These potato pancakes are served as a side dish with both savory and sweet foods. Reibekuchen is commonly served during the Christmas season, but is also eaten as a snack throughout the year. They are usually topped with a spiced stewed applesauce similar to applesauce. This dish may also be called Kartoffelpuffer.
To make these potato pancakes, the potato is grated, mixed with eggs and onions, seasoned with salt and pepper, and formed into cakes, which are fried in a pan by floating them in a deep tank of hot oil. Traditionally, this recipe is made with the richest potatoes available. In Germany, this dish is often made with Bintje potatoes, which are similar to Yukon potatoes. Reibekuchen pancakes are similar to latkes, a traditional Jewish potato pancake, except many latkes are made without flour. After the pancakes are cooked, they are placed on paper towels to drain excess oil before being served.
Whether served with savory or sweet dishes, reibekuchen are almost always served with apfelkompott, an applesauce made with peeled stewed apples, sugar, and spices. The apfelkompott can be cooked until the apples are soft and chunky, or it can be blended into a smooth sauce approaching applesauce. It can be spooned on top of pancakes or served on the side as a dip.
Reibekuchen comes from and is often eaten in a region called the Rhineland, which refers to an area near the River Rhine. Although this river mainly divides Germany and Belgium, the Rhineland also includes parts of Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Reibekuchen is often sold by vendors at German events such as street fairs and carnivals, but this dish is also often made at home.
While potato pancakes are eaten year-round, they are also eaten on special occasions, such as Christmas or during some types of fasts. In areas of the world where reibekuchen are popular, they are often eaten by Catholics on their Meatless Fridays. In Catholicism, Meatless Fridays, also called the Friday Fast, are days of abstinence from meat in meat observed in remembrance of the Crucifixion.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
