Stollen is a German fruit cake originating from the city of Dresden that is traditionally eaten during Christmas. Other foods I have tried so far in Germany during the fall and winter seasons include flammkuchen, a flatbread or pizza-like dish that can be topped with cheese, meats and/or vegetables; and schnitzel mit pommes, a thin fried and breaded meat cutlet paired with french fries.
All of the diverse foods were very tasty and filling! I was fascinated by the rich flavors in German cuisine (especially the traditional cheeses) and the freshness of the vegetables and other ingredients used to prepare the dishes.
Many German dishes are heavy in carbs and cheeses. Snacks like reibekuchen are deep-fried. Flammkuchen is a very versatile food, as one can bake it with any toppings of choice, whether these be meat, cheese or vegetables. Stollen is prepared with a variety of dried fruits such as raisins, apricots and berries and can be dusted with powdered sugar for additional sweetness.
Many of the aforementioned foods are definitely connected to the local environment, as they are often prepared with vegetables that are in season: for example, flammkuchen mit kurbies (flammkuchen with pumpkin) in the fall. Potatoes are a major crop grown in Germany, hence the many potato-based dishes in the country's cuisine.
