The Top 5 of Typical Dutch Stuff
When you are planning to go to the Netherlands, there are some typical Dutch things which you have to know. A Dutch newspaper asked its readers what is “typical Dutch”. They compiled a list of the 100 top typical Dutch things. I share the first five with you.
1. Molens (windmills).
You can find them everywhere in the Dutch landscapes. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. There are many different species, each one of them have another function.
2. Sinterklaas (Sint Nikolaas or Saint Nicholas).
The Dutch children do not believe in Santa Claus. Back in the Netherlands we have “sinterklaas”. He gives the children present at his birthday at the 5th of December.
3. Klompen (wooden shoes).
In the past many people walked on wooden shoes. These days only some farmers used them. But you still see them everywhere. It’s one of the most original souvenirs.
4. Oranje gevoel (orange color sentiment).
Orange is the Dutch color. During international soccer games and Queens day, everything in the Netherlands turns orange. Streets are decorated by the Dutch and orange flags, people wearing orange clothes and everywhere you go you see orange attributes.
5. Tulpen (tulips).
Holland is the land of the tulips. Many tourists are visiting the country to see the flowers and taking a look at the bulb fields who are gorgeously colorful.
There are a lot more typical Dutch things like the “elfstedentocht”(eleven cities tour). This is the world largest skating competition. Also not to forget the “haring”(herring), the famous Dutch brined herring, served with chopped onions. And last but not least our “Drop”, a chewy kind of candy with a sweet and/or salt taste. Dutch people are addicted to it. They are liking is so much that you can buy hundreds of different kinds of it.
Dutch Cooking
It is winter time in the Netherlands. That means that a lot of households eats a lot of “stamppot” (hotchpots). This is an traditional meal during the wintertime in the Netherlands. There are many variants of it, but the best known are “stamppot boerenkool” (stew kale) and “Hutspot” (stew with onions and carrots). The hotchpots are served with a “rookworst” (smoked sausage). I will give you a recipe of the “hutspot” it is easy to make, so you can try it your own.
Recipe “hutspot”
What do you need?
- 1 kg. carrots
- 1 kg. potatoes
- 400 gr. onions
- Pepper and salt
How to prepare?
Peel the potatoes, cut them in smaller pieces and was them. Get a big saucepan and let the potatoes cook in about 20 minutes. Meanwhile cut the onions in rings and bake them in a frying pan with some butter till they are soft and brown. Cut the carrots in strips and add to the potatoes. Let them cook for another 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the carrots and potatoes and add the onions. Mash the dish together by hand with a masher (you may have to add a bit of liquid like water or milk). At last flavor it with salt and pepper.
In the Netherlands you eat it with some gravy (jus) and a smoked sausage. Eetsmakelijk (enjoy your meal)!
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