The first time I had a soft chocolate glazed cookie called Lebkuchen was Switzerland. That cookie along with roasted chestnuts at an open air/outdoor Christmas market is pure nostalgia.
Lebkuchen are made with only 10% flour, the rest has to be ground nuts, spices, HONEY, and some citrus grinds. Depending on quality they include Marzipan. My favorite come on a white wafer called Oblaten. I've just had two and want to jodel.
Apparently, Monks had invented them in the 13th century. I always suspected monks hid their epicurianism beneath a fassade of asceticism.
I'm still trying to figure out how to live in a world that my father is no longer inhabiting and he used to always get them for me.
As I got older I no longer liked them and found they were too sweet. Whether the ingredients were changed or I simply outgrew them, I don't know. They became available in local stores and I suspect that they weren't imports but a sweetened version of the original.
When he got older, my father who loved to bring gifts would ask me if I wanted some. I declined, he still brought them. He was disappointed. I never regifted what he gave me and I simply didn't want him to waste money on something I no longer enjoyed.
Advancing age made him miss the loss of his youth and my childhood. Losing him made me miss the same. I recently bought groceries to avoid the Christmas shopping mayhem and saw them on a display. I grabbed a package. Instead of six to a package, there are now five rattling around, but I get to connect to a pleasant memory that I can maintain in the future.
Happy Holidays to everyone.
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ReplyDeleteCodex: I'm sure he's fine or is your family concerned as well?
DeleteDo you mean Nurnberg and Durer?
Well, it's more of a wistful holiday then a merry one. To you as well. Try to rescue what you can of it. I wish people happy Holidays because I don't know what they are celebrating.
Codex: You just let me know that your father passed away two years ago. Want to explain your comment?!
DeleteCodex: Hello Sabine. I give everyone a second chance, but mocking someone who is grieving is beyond the pale. Feel free to explain and apologize.
DeleteI want a blog were people are supported and feel comfortable and follow basic netiquette. Alternatively, there are many other blogs for you to enjoy.
I am sorry if this came across as mocking. Your mention of how you miss your father just mirrored how I feel on a day like this when I miss his call badly. It's your prerogative to dismiss me. I understand.
DeleteCodex: My turn to apologize. You sounded like you were presently worried about him and I was worried with you. You wrote that it's cold and he hasn't called you.
DeleteYes the missing call or visit is what I'm going through and can't do a damn thing about. Thank you for clarifying. Peace and manageable holidays. (New years is even worse)
There was a period of time when making all the special cookies at christmas was a thing I indulged in and I think it about it nostalgically but I don't really miss the doing and eating of them. I don't care much for sweet things at this point in my life which is a good thing since I have to keep an eye on my blood sugar.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I could relate to missing deceased parents but I wasn't particularly close to either of mine.
Deep sigh, I know Ellen. My experience was unusual because my father was such a presence and loved by many. I just lucked out.
DeleteThey have them in Texas. You should try one. I've tried but can't bake, but I'd describe them as soft cake in cookie form.
I just Love Lebkuchen but have to get the iced Gingerbread kind coz I can't have Chocolate. I get mine from "World Market" and I must say I do not Share coz they're all for ME. Plus, they are rather expensive as a Scandinavian Import. *Smiles* We used to do Cookie Exchanges and I miss that part of the Holidays, nobody does that anymore that we know. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteCodex: don't blame you for not sharing. Amazon has them. I sometimes find them in grocery stores. German stores have them too. I have never heard of a cookie exchange. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
DeleteCodex@Bohemian. Neither your captcha nor your images are loading been like that all day.
DeleteP.S.@bohemian you can get them without chocolate glazing. Gingerbread doesn't come close.
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