Haltickling
2nd Level Green Feather
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- Apr 3, 2001
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Everybody knows Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Hotdogs, and Fries, but what do people consume as a quick meal in other parts of the world?
Let's start with Germany, my home country. The most favorite fast food here is called “Currywurst”, which is nothing but a Bratwurst (grilled Polish sausage, sometimes also made of beef) covered with a tangy sauce made of ketchup and a curry-spice mixture. Recently, people even add a dash of mayonnaise to it and call it “Red-White”. Served with fries or a roll.
Another popular snack is a small, palm-sized meatloaf, the name varies depending on the region. It's not just a Hamburger; the recipe includes bread and eggs as well, all mixed and then broiled in a pan with lots of onion rings. Usually, people take mustard with it, and a slice of bread or a roll.
Due to a large Turkish minority here in Germany, the Turkish “Döner Kebap” has become very popular. You'll find a Döner shack even in small towns without Turkish inhabitants. Originally it's made with mutton or veal, but as people have become more sensitive to heelth issues, it's made of Turkey (fits better anyway). Thin slices of meat are stacked up a spit and then slowly rotated in front of a vertical grill. The meat is then “shaved” off in small pieces off the surface and packed into a flat Turkish bread, along with sliced onions, salad, and a sauce. Most Döners are sold with Cacik (a youghurt/garlic sauce), but there are other varieties as well. In fact, doctors recommend Döner as the healthiest fast food, as it contains less fat but all the necessary vitamins. The same thing is called “Gyros” in Greece and “Shawarma” in Arabic countries.
I know that some Americans think that Pizza is an American invention, but it originally comes from Italy. However, it's almost exclusively served in tourist restaurants there. Most high-class restaurants refuse to serve pizza. Italians take their time for a meal. If they want a quick snack, they buy just a sandwich.
In North Africa and Israel, Falafel is quite popular. It's a meat-free ball or pad made of chick-peas (in Germany we call them giggle-peas!), served with bread and a hot Tahin sauce.
I envy the Asians though. The rich variety of fast food sold at street stalls all around south and east Asia is amazing! While it's mostly soups in Thailand and China, it's the whole range of simple culinary pleasures in India. My favorite: the Indonesian Sate Babi. Small chunks of grilled meat (mostly chicken) on small skewers, covered with a thick sauce made of crushed peanuts, coconut milk, and LOTS of spices. Mmmmh!
As we say here in Germany: The three best things in life are food and drink...
Let's start with Germany, my home country. The most favorite fast food here is called “Currywurst”, which is nothing but a Bratwurst (grilled Polish sausage, sometimes also made of beef) covered with a tangy sauce made of ketchup and a curry-spice mixture. Recently, people even add a dash of mayonnaise to it and call it “Red-White”. Served with fries or a roll.
Another popular snack is a small, palm-sized meatloaf, the name varies depending on the region. It's not just a Hamburger; the recipe includes bread and eggs as well, all mixed and then broiled in a pan with lots of onion rings. Usually, people take mustard with it, and a slice of bread or a roll.
Due to a large Turkish minority here in Germany, the Turkish “Döner Kebap” has become very popular. You'll find a Döner shack even in small towns without Turkish inhabitants. Originally it's made with mutton or veal, but as people have become more sensitive to heelth issues, it's made of Turkey (fits better anyway). Thin slices of meat are stacked up a spit and then slowly rotated in front of a vertical grill. The meat is then “shaved” off in small pieces off the surface and packed into a flat Turkish bread, along with sliced onions, salad, and a sauce. Most Döners are sold with Cacik (a youghurt/garlic sauce), but there are other varieties as well. In fact, doctors recommend Döner as the healthiest fast food, as it contains less fat but all the necessary vitamins. The same thing is called “Gyros” in Greece and “Shawarma” in Arabic countries.
I know that some Americans think that Pizza is an American invention, but it originally comes from Italy. However, it's almost exclusively served in tourist restaurants there. Most high-class restaurants refuse to serve pizza. Italians take their time for a meal. If they want a quick snack, they buy just a sandwich.
In North Africa and Israel, Falafel is quite popular. It's a meat-free ball or pad made of chick-peas (in Germany we call them giggle-peas!), served with bread and a hot Tahin sauce.
I envy the Asians though. The rich variety of fast food sold at street stalls all around south and east Asia is amazing! While it's mostly soups in Thailand and China, it's the whole range of simple culinary pleasures in India. My favorite: the Indonesian Sate Babi. Small chunks of grilled meat (mostly chicken) on small skewers, covered with a thick sauce made of crushed peanuts, coconut milk, and LOTS of spices. Mmmmh!
As we say here in Germany: The three best things in life are food and drink...
