What about the Pretzels?

What about the pretzels? As you are walking through Salzburg you will no doubt be tempted by one of the many pretzel stands along your path. Give into the urge and join the pretzel party! The common pretzel or “brezel” is a twisted knot of baked dough that nearly everyone associates with Bavaria and Austria. There are many stories about the origin of the pretzel. One account credits an Italian monk with inventing the pretzel as a reward to children for learning their prayers. The twist resembling arms crossing the chest and the name ‘pretzel’ coming from the Italian word ‘pretiola’ meaning ‘little reward’. Another story claims it to be related to the Greek Ringbread, a communion bread used in monasteries a thousand years ago. A third story credits the Catholic Church with inventing the simple pretzel made of just water and flour as a bread to be eaten during lent. Wherever it came from, the pretzel has been an important piece of German baking traditions for centuries. Long recognized as an emblem for the baker, twisted pretzels can still be seen hanging above the Salzburg streets on some of the many iron guild signs that decorate the Getreidegasse.

Almost every city has it’s own way of baking a pretzel and in Salzburg you will find them all. My favorite is the traditional lye baked twist with it’s dark brown crunchy skin and soft chewy dough body. Covered with chunks of salt or crisp sunflower seeds, I find it hard to pass by a traditional pretzel dangling in a shop window without snatching it up. If you need a little more substance, try a “Butterbrezel”. Sliced horizontally, buttered and topped with cold cuts and cheese the Butterbrezel satisfies as a handy pretzel sandwich.

No doubt you will be charmed by one of the stands selling tempting pastry pretzels the size of soccer balls. Dripping with chocolate, dusted with sugar, coated with melted Parmesan, interlaced with cinnamon and apple they will shout to your tastebuds with a forceful “buy me!” Call me a traditionalist but every time I give into the call of the chocolate glazed pretzel, I am left disappointed. I suppose I am expecting a giant twisted rendition of an American chocolate glazed donut and neither the taste nor texture lives up to my expectations. By all means give it a whirl if you wish, but I am pretty sure you will be running back to the traditional pretzel for round two. Be it sweet, savory or a full on sandwich, give into the temptation and while in Salzburg…make it a pretzel day!