Cabbage Festival by the North Sea
In September the Dithmarscher Kohltage Celebrate a Healthy Vegetable
Aug 8, 2008
Food lovers who like rustic countryside festivities, can discover the surprising possibilities of cabbage in the north of Germany. Every year in September the Dithmarschen Cabbage Days set a counterpoint to the wine festivals in the south. Fairs, dinners and harvest homes bring locals and tourists in the villages and small town of this farming area together to enjoy the traditional cuisine of the north.
The landscape of Dithmarschen, the rural district on the German North Sea coast half ways between Hamburg and Denmark, can best be characterized by means of a slogan used by the Schleswig-Holstein administration: Land of horizons. Because flat it is! And especially in summer the the landscape and horizon become just narrow rims of the vast sky arching infinitely over the fields.
Dithmarschen Farmers Are the true Krauts of Germany
Apart from corn, rapeseed, turnips and other vegetables there is one that dominates the landscape: cabbage. Approximately 80 million cabbages are harvested from the almost 7000 acres every year, which makes Dithmarschen the largest area of cabbage cultivation in Europe.
The reason for this is the ideal climate and soil: The marshes are reclaimed land with very fertile, heavy soil and the nearby sea provides a constant supply of moisture in form of rain and humidity and moderate temperatures throughout the year. The varieties include white and red cabbage, cauliflower, kale and others. Most of the cabbage is grown for export, partly as Sauerkraut, some as far as to Russia.
Health Benefits of Cabbage
White cabbage contains a very high amount of vitamin C and helps boosting the immune system during the autumn and winter months – especially important in areas like Dithmarschen, which have long winters and have to wait long in spring for fresh fruit to be harvested. The vitamin C is remains viable in the Sauerkraut, which is the most common way to preserve cabbage. Its thiocyanate even has antibiotic effects. Being rich in fiber cabbage can help bringing down cholesterol levels, while potassium lowers the blood pressure. Vitamin B and E, iron and selenium are further goodies.
In regions like Dithmarschen, which have long and cool winters and have to wait long for fresh fruit to be harvested, cabbage has been traditionally an important ingredient. It was easily grown or bought cheap and it was eay to preserve. This helped not only the rural communities but also the seafaring men, who took it onboard their ships as provisions.
Dithmarschen Cabbage Days 2008
From September 16 to 21 the rural festival is celebrated all over Dithmarschen for the twenty-second time. A majority of events take place in the capital of Heide and towns like Meldorf, Wesselburen and coastal resort Büsum, but even small villages and hamlets proudly take part in the Cabbage Days. Traditional recipes with cabbage include roulades, stuffed cabbage, cabbage soup and stews. But the menus on offer at this festival include inventive novelties up to desserts.
Pre-booking is advisable for dinners in restaurants. Round trip by bus and guide tours over cabbage fields and farms are widely available. Cooking demonstrations as well as courses help those, who want a bit of inspiration for home use. Check the website of the Dithmarschen Cabbage Days for details and for tourist information.
More culinary discoveries in the north of Germany: The historic café Kupferkanne on Sylt, Restaurant Sansibar on Sylt, with Germany's northernmost wine cellar and Beach Bistro La Grand Plage.
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