The sweet taste of happiness
Golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside – it’s love at first bite! Then comes the mini-explosion as the filling spreads gently on your tongue: the classic is apricot jam, but other delights, such as vanilla or chocolate cream, can also be added. The last few years in particular have seen free rein given to creativity with some highly unconventional but delightful treats, from mango-passion fruit to pistachio, nut nougat and even cheesecake-blackberry!
Unruly is a good way to describe it: unruly and unreasonable, as Carnival season is also described in this part of the world. It starts every year on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11.11 a.m., the time of fools – but it of course reaches its peak during Carnival week, before Lent officially begins. And it is precisely during this time of fools that the sweet Carnival fritters also come into their own, always a delight for young and old alike!
Here in South Tyrol, fritters are not only a highlight of Carnival, but also a much-loved tradition: just one bite will take you straight back to your childhood memories.
The South Tyrolean love of fritters
Fritters – or krapfen as they are known here – and South Tyrol have a very special love story. Back in the old days, farmers’ wives would drop pieces of dough into hot fat in the winter months to treat the family to a tasty and well-deserved reward after a hard day’s work. And, in addition to Carnival fritters, there is a whole range of other types featuring different fillings and shapes: from hearty tirtl to beautifully formed straube. And, because South Tyroleans are so in love with their fritters, Carnival fritters can in fact be found all year round in local craft bakeries.