...in the US, anyhow....
Pretzels are a staple to the Bavarian diet-snacked on whilst having a Mass or two in the Biergartens, or filled with sandwich fixin's...the pretzel figures prominently here. School kids grab a buttered pretzel from the bakery on their way to or from school. Babies mouth them before they sprout teeth. Here they are soft and large and slightly salted. They are the perfect, delicious food on the go. They invite sharing. The subtle saltiness leads you to stay for one more beer, and they help soak up that beer in your tummy. They are the perfect partner for
Obatzda or Weisswurst.
Monks are credited for the invention of the Pretzel, baking strips of dough folded over to represent a child's arms folded in prayer. It makes sense that they invented the pretzel as they were the ones making the beer!
Pretzels are readily accessible here in Munich-in restaurants, at the Biergartens, in our bakeries, at the train stations-I have even seen ones that are frozen and ready to pop into the oven so you can have them fresh (maybe on a Sunday when things are closed here...)!
There is a lot of good information about the lovely pretzel on the
Wikipedia page. Have a look, and then go get yourself a pretzel and celebrate! Although, as you have probably figured out, a pretzel a day around here is a normal thing! Happy Pretzel Day!
