Being the editor of News4U definitely comes with some cool perks. I get to throw the first pitch at an Otters game, I get to interview some very interesting and sometimes even famous people, I get to toss weenies… Err! Back that train up! Weenie tossing?! Yep, this year, I will attempt to catch weenies at the Volksfest Celebrity Weenie Toss! Sharon Tindle, N4U business manager, and I will stand back to back. She will throw weenies over her head while I attempt to catch them in my smock. This is one of the many duties I inherited from Dylan Gibbs, former managing editor. He used to always catch weenies, and from what I understand he was quite good at it. Last year, we ranked second – coming in only one weenie under Fox 7.
Volksfest is in August, but this month’s What’s Cookin’ will rev up the salivary glands and prepare you for the pot of kraut that lies at the end of the regenbogen.
The N4U gang joined the Germania Männerchor patrons for a preview of the feast presented at Volksfest. This is the food of my heritage… I grew up on pork roast and potato dumplings; I have even journeyed to the land-o-sausages, but the food we devoured at Germania was some of the best, most authentic German fare I have ever tasted.
First off, the sauerkraut. I am not a fan, to say the least. Ick. I thought I would at least try it for the review. Worst case scenario – wash it down with a gulp of beer… Now, maybe it’s because I’m no longer 10-years-old at a polka dance in Northern Wisconsin (where I spent my summers with my German grandmother), but this sauerkraut was actually really good. It wasn’t as… krauty as the sauerkraut I’ve had in the past. You know, it didn’t have that harsh vinegary taste. It was sauerkraut, but it wasn’t “knock you over” sauerkraut. It had a pleasant flavor and paired nicely with the accompanying food; the smooth white beans and sweet German potato salad toned it down even further.
The bratwurst were grilled perfectly.
The bratwursts and ham hocks (sometimes called “pig’s knuckles”) were something that weren’t new to me. The ham hocks were so meaty, I could only eat one and the grilled brats melted in your mouth. I even put some kraut on mine, but there was a whole range of condiments to choose from.
The best part of the meal, however, was the kraut balls. I really didn’t know what to expect when I heard the word “kraut balls.” My mind quickly diverted to thoughts of Rodney Carrington and his fish balls, but were immediately dismissed. Out came small fried balls that look like hush puppies. One bite and I was HOOKED. The secret recipe only Jim Kluesner and a handful of other Germania gents know was something you will have to experience for yourself! They were creamy inside, and though that kraut was definitely in there, it was simply delectable. And guess what, you can’t get kraut balls at any restaurant or pub, especially not the original Germania recipe. 10,000 are made, rolled and fried for the Volksfest. That is a heck of a lot of kraut balls! I would eat all of them if I could! But alas, I can not…
Rachel cheers on the News 4U Weenie Tossing Team in an authentic oktoberfest hast: "Look out Fox 7, News 4U is coming 4U!"
Come celebrate Evansville’s German heritage with singing, dancing and plenty of fun – including seeing me catch weenies on Friday, August 15 at 7 p.m.! Volksfest will be held at Germania on Fulton Ave. off the Lloyd from August 14-16. Enjoy kraut balls and all the wonderful food prepared at Germania, the Rhine Valley Brass polka band (yes, they play the beloved “Chicken Dance”) and of course the BIERGARTEN!
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