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Kale & Pinkelwurst
A January feast at
ATNY that is becoming more popular with every year. It started
in 1989??? only recently by length of tradition standards at ATNY.
Yet many traditions have been adopted or evolved concerning this
event. The menu is almost always the same. Of course
there is the title fare and there is salad, Kastler Ripchen, boiled
potatoes, apple cake coffee and aqua vita. It is all prepared
by Turner volunteers who are always seated together at their special
round table after a short applauded parade from the kitchen.
The origin of this
event at ATNY is known but the origin of Kale & Pinkelwurst is more
obscure. What is Pinkelwurst? Where did it originate?
Here's what a web site
in Northern Germany's city of Bremen has to say:
Link to Bremen Web Site
"Kohl und Pinkel" - the
local speciality
"Is it OK to eat that?" Of course it is! - even
though it is sometimes said that Bremen's local speciality is at
least as unspeakable as the "pig's stomach" the German chancellor
Kohl - a native of the Rhineland - loves so much. Despite this
negative view, Bremen residents swear by their favourite meal, which
consists of loads of curly kale with the substantial addition a
variety of meats. Pinkel is the name of a special section of pig's
intestine used as a sausage skin and filled with oatmeal.
Incidentally, the traditional dish is mainly eaten in the company of
friends or colleagues in the course of an outing. This also explains
the quintessential Bremen term "Kohl und Pinkel Fahrt" - Kohl and
Pinkel Trip. Groups of Bremen citizens engaged in this custom are
easily identified as they stroll in light-hearted mood through the
countryside around Bremen, preferably festooned with sprigs of curly
kale.
Schaffer" banquet
Women are not allowed to take part. Men may only
do so if they are formally dressed e.g. evening dress or uniform -
and only once in their lives, unless they happen to be citizens of
Bremen. It sounds like an ancient rite, and that is exactly what it
is. The "Schaffer" banquet is the oldest men's banquet in the world,
and has been staged in February every year since 1545. Merchants,
ship owners and captains meet at Neptune's table, which takes the
form of a tricorn, to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning
of the new business season with business partners from all over the
world. The menu and drinks that are served to the participants until
far into the night have also remained unchanged since they were
first laid down in 1545.
Photos from the 2007 Kale
and Pinkelwurst |
