Schupfnudeln: an every occasion potato dumplings
Schupfnudeln is a name given to a type of thick noodles or dumpling in Austrian and southern German cuisine. They are also called as Fingernudeln meaning finger noodle and is very similar to the internationally familiar Italian gnocchi. They are known by several different names in different regions and have various forms as well. The recipe consists of wheat flour or rye along with eggs. Since the time potatoes have been introduced to Germany, Schupfnudeln were made with potatoes. The traditional shape is like that of an elongated American football and is mostly hand-shaped. They are mainly served with sauerkraut in the form of a savory dish and sometimes are also served as a sweet dish.
This dish is served in several ways. As a savory with sage-butter or sweet with cinnamon, poppy seeds, and sugar, this dish is relished by food lovers. It is very important to make sure the flavorless noodles incorporate the different flavors of the other ingredients. Schupfnudeln, which is pan-fried and served with bacon bits along with sauerkraut, is commonly served during public wine festivals throughout Swabia and Baden. They are usually served with cold fruits like pears or stewed apples in Swabia.
Since the Thirty Year’s War the dish, Schupfnudeln is known as a trooper dish as it was made out of their daily flour ration and water. They formed it into the shape of noodles which they cooked afterward. Once the potato was imported and even cultivated in Germany during the 17th century, the recipe was modified, and variations of the recipe emerged from different regions.
Preparation
The meaning of the name Schupf meaning finger noodles refers to the shape of the dish and not the ingredients. There is no real authentic recipe for the dish, but there are many different ways of preparing it according to the region.
This disagreement in the method of preparing the dish is seen in the subject literature. The Ludwig Zehetner has written in his Bavarian Dictionary that it boiled in salt water. While the Duden, which is a reference to The German language, mentions that Schupfnudeln is a fried dish.
Many of the simple recipes make use of just rye flour and water to make the dough. Some of the recipes include mashed potatoes, egg, and flour. After this, the dough is kneaded and rolled in the shape of thin and long cylinders which is cut into pieces measuring about half an inch in width. They are rolled in the typical shape of the Schupfnudeln. Following which they are cooked in salt water for almost ten minutes or sometimes deep-fried. Few of the recipes also include frying them in a pan.
Subsequently, they are served in different ways: sweet with cinnamon, sugar, and poppy seeds, savory with sage-butter or sauerkraut. In all the recipes, it is necessary that the comparatively flavorless noodles incorporate the taste of the other ingredients. Schupfnudeln can be served as a main dish or even as a side dish.
GERMAN “SCHUPFNUDELN.”
It is very apparent from the cuisine that Germans love their potatoes more than anything! Potatoes are a major part of their traditional and modern recipes no matter they are sweet or savory, and they are served as either a main dish or a side dish. They are prepared in the roasted form, baked, grated, diced, deep-fried, grilled, diced or even formed into various shapes like dumplings.
The originators of MaultsachenRavioli pockets and spaetzle who are the Swabians are the ones who made Schupfnudeln famous. Food traditions in Germany were very much impacted by the Swabian region. Even in Germany, the dish Schupfnudeln is known by several names in various regions like bubespitzle or schopperla.
The very common name Schupfnudeln, in fact, combines the appearance and the cooking technique. This is seen in the meaning of the name; wherein Schupf means something similar to rolling while the term nudel refers to noodle which describes food in the shape of a bulb.
Traditionally the dish is made out of hands. The dumplings actually are quick and easy to prepare and makes a delicious savory dish. Since the dumplings are made in a neutral flavor, it is easy to combine them with anything you would like to have. It could even be any variety of vegetable or even fish and meat. Also, custard, applesauce or stewed fruits could be used. In fact for the savory variety, it is usually recommended to roast or toss the Schupfnudeln in a pan which you have prepared as a part of your meal in order to soak up the flavor.
You will notice that the dumplings are funny looking and are an alternative to pasta, regular potatoes or even rice. There are several local variations found for this dish, and it includes just a few differences in the way the dough is prepared.
It was during the 17th century when potatoes came into Germany and especially Europe that people started to develop this recipe by using riced potatoes to make the dumplings, and soon it became one of the alternatives instead of the rye flour or wheat flour.
Since just a few ingredients are needed, it is relatively easy to make this dish from scratch. It is best if you can find juicy starchy potatoes to make the potato dish. The high amount of starch in it, with the help of a potato ricer it can be processed quickly, and they help it to hold together perfectly when they are formed into dumplings.
Given below is a recipe for the dish which is one of the excellent varieties made with butter and sage. The dish can be served with meat or chicken.
You can make it as a main meal by roasting it together along with some vegetables and mixing them with some homemade tomato sauce. You can enjoy healthy home-made pasta style stir fry without any fuss. You can use freshly ground nutmeg for the recipe to add that extra flavor.
Recipe for the Authentic German Schupfnudeln Potato Dumplings
- Roasted finger-shaped dumplings with sage-butter.
The following ingredients will be needed to prepare this dish:
Ingredients
- 1 lb starchy potatoes
- a handful of sage leaves
- 2/3 cups of flour
- One knob of butter
- Salt as per taste
- 1 egg
- pinch of nutmeg freshly ground
Follow the given instructions to prepare this delicious dish:
- First, Wash and cook the potatoes until they become soft.
- While they are still warm, peel and press through one of the potato ricers.
- Leave the potatoes to evaporate.
- Now start Kneading the egg and flour into the potatoes prepared above.
- Now Season this mixture with salt and nutmeg and start forming into a long roll.
- After this cut small pieces out of the roll.
- Use your hands to form medium bite-sized, finger-shaped dumplings by rolling them using your palm.
- Cook the shaped dumplings in lightly boiling water which is salted until they start coming to the top.
- At this point take out the potatoes with a skimmer, drain them and leave to cool for a while.
- Melt some butter in a pan.
- Now, add some sage leaves and wait until they become crispy.
- Get the dumplings and roast it for about 5-10 minutes until they become golden brown.
- It is time to serve directly
- You can decorate with some fresh sage leaves. It will give it a delightful flavor.
On your next visit to Germany make sure you enjoy the Schupfnudeln in its authentic form and get a taste of traditional German cuisine. Or, if you throwing a party or a family get together, this is a dish that should definitely find a place on your menu. Your guests will love it, we promise!