Retro Party Food – German 70s
I had almost forgotten this retro food until Graham mentioned it. As a child I only got to admire this at other people’s festivities such as New Year’s Eve or some other occasions such as adults’ birthdays, etc. Like many other children, I did not care for cheese, and so I only enjoyed looking at it.
When Graham mentioned the Käseigel on one of our podcasts a couple of years back, I eagerly volunteered to make one for a podcast take. Well, it has taken me two years just to keep my promise. But now I have not only made one Käseigel, but three within a week!
The very first one – kind of like a dry-run on how to make Käseigels – I had kept in the cool stairway, only covered by a plastic wrap. Both kids, after having passed it on their return from school, asked me suspiciously what kind of thing this little monster was out there. Last night my daughter asked me to make one to take to her Humanities class this morning to celebrate the coming winter break.
Here it is, the infamous German Käseigel (literal translation: cheese hedgehog):
Käseigel (pronounced: Kä-se-i-gel)
All you need to create such a 70s-looking appetizer is:
* any kind of melon for the base
* Gouda cheese ( a one-pound packet will make two Käseigels)
* fresh fruit such as tangerines, grapes, etc. (a can of mixed fruit cocktail will also do)
* party-picks, available at most supermarkets
For a kid-size version, half of a big apple may be used.
The Gouda needs to be cut into bite-size pieces, speared with fruit and cheese alternating – to your liking.
The longer I look at this photo, the more this appetizer looks like a celebrated Gaul’s head gear (see Asterix and Obelix’s Birthday – The Golden Book
Tags: 70s food, appetizer, Käseigel, retrofood
December 17th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Interesting looking for sure! I love the literal translation. You didn’t say if the inside
of the melon was scooped out or could be incorporated into the offering – I’d assume so?
Thanks!
December 17th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Thanks, Betsy, for pointing this out!
No, the melon usually does not get scooped out before serving this.
One can just have it afterwards, sliced the traditional way.
December 17th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
What fun! I hope your daughter’s class enjoyed eating it. Merry Christmas to all the family from the Mansfield family. We miss Germany and the Weinachts Markts!
December 18th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Thanks Maria for the introduction of German hedgehog! I like the name. let’s see if my Brit friends will be impressed!
December 18th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
perfect for any good party!
December 19th, 2009 at 4:20 am
Well, I don’t know. Not sure yet. But this is convincing…
December 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Have you all signed up for the transcript of the Käseigel podcast? We are sending it as a sample of things to come on German Words Explained.
You just have to enter your e-mail address on this page: http://tinyurl.com/yeuo7mq
January 1st, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I forgot to mention it yesterday, but our *last* podcast is now online – complete with Käseigel.
Listen to it here: http://tinyurl.com/wunderkerzen
March 25th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
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August 18th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
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