After more than twenty years of traveling the globe as a military officer, I have decided to let my wife be the breadwinner, while I dedicate my efforts to living la dolce vita. We are now living in Bonlanden, a picturesque small village outside of Stuttgart, Germany, and while my wife helps keep the world safe for democracy, I intend to do my best to make the world safe for decent food - and to share with you the joys of European cuisine and lifestyle.
 
While my culinary compass will normally point me south towards Italy or west towards France, for this, my first contribution, I offer my observations of one of the most enjoyable aspects of living in Germany - the Fest. As we enter the Fall harvest season many Germany towns schedule festivals to celebrate the bounties of the German countryside. Here in our neighborhood, this past weekend marked the celebration of Kraut at the world's largest salute to cabbage in Leinfelden-Echterdingen (http://www.krautfest-le.de).
 
One of the most enjoyable ways to sample the distinctive pointed local cabbage, known as "Spitzkohl," or "Filderkraut" is as "Krautschopfnudeln." This dish is a combination of Filderkraut and the local noodles, known as "Spaetzle," cooked together in a huge pan over an open fire. When paired with glass of the local beer or the delicious local wine, a visitor is truly immersed in the Swabian culture and "gemuetlichkeit."
 
Another great dish to enjoy at a local Fest is "Zwiebelkuchen," or German onion pie (http://www.germanfoods.org/consumer/federweisser.cfm). This is a popular year-round food, a variety of which, torte l'oignon," is also prepared in the Alsatian region of France. This is an easy dish to prepare at home. If you are not feeling like a pastry chef, you can also make or purchase a standard pie crust. This allows you to prepare an excellent Zwiebelkuchen with only a little effort.
 
If you decide to make a Zwiebelkuchen, I suggest that you pair it with a German or Alsatian white wine. A Riesling or a pinot blanc is always an excellent choice. Vintners here in the Swabian region of southwest Germany (Baden-Wurttenberg) also make an excellent light red wine. One especially good choice from this area is a wine called "Trollinger mit Lemberger," a wine commonly produced from the hillside vineyards in Wurttenberg that line the Neckar River. Challenge your local state store to find this tasty, light, unusually dry red wine that matches well with Zwiebelkuchen, and is great as a sipping wine on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
 
So do as the Germans do! Take advantage of the last rays of the autumn sun, go for a walk in the woods, and afterwards, enjoy your Zwiebelkuchen with a fine glass of Trollinger wine.
 
Look forward to future articles on Thanksgiving in Rome, food pairings with British Real Ale, and Christmas delights from Austria.
 
From the front lines of good food, your correspondent,
 
Angelo