A New Knedle in the Historic Centre of Osijek

Something new and something old in Tvrđa Osijek on May 7, 2016.

There was something new happened this past weekend in Tvrđa. A new style of Knedle was launched and the media got to see it at 11 o’clock. The tourist board and the School of Hospitality and culinary had come up with this new idea of taken something old and making it new again. ” People had lined up at the wooden booth called the “Osjecka Knedla”as word got out. Within minutes after 11 o’clock the crowd had lined up just to get a chance to try the new dish. For people that don’t know what Knedle it is real plum cut in half or walnut in the center dough ball. This is cooked first and rolled in bread crumbs. There was a lot of hard work put into this project because of the importance of combining the history Osijek past and linking it with great food.

Why the importance of 11 o’clock?

This is the only city in Croatia that has church bells ringing loudly at 11 am. A lot of people have asked with some confusion as to why it rings like this, normally the bells ring like this at noon There are a lot of people who have forgotten the main meaning of why the bells at this time on Friday. We thought what better way to celebrate by re-introducing Knedle and its important historic roll in Osijek.

With some clarification from the tourist board in Osijek we were able to explain it.

1. It was the timing of when the last Turkish Soldier from the Ottoman Empire left the city of Osijek on Friday at 11am. (Exact date: Friday, 29 September 1687) Ringing the Church bells signaling freedom for the people of Osijek. For the past few centuries it was rang on the exactly 11 am in remembrance of this moment.

2. As time went by people forgot about the important historical significance of the church bells ringing Friday at 11 o’clock. The people adopted the ringing of Every Friday as being the ideal time to start cooking Knedle at this hour. By noon the entire dish would be ready for eating. Hence the Osijek people identified this as Knedle hour.

Tasting of Traditional Slavonian Food

After Knedle hour, it’s off to find the tasting area to get some traditional Slavonian food. The traditional music of the Guitar and Accordion echoed off the ancient city walls, leading the way to the outer part of the Fortress. Beside the river bank of Drava was the open fires with black kettles cooking up a storm of traditional Slavonian food. (Goulash , Čobanac Stew, Fish Paprikash.) It is always great to have friends and family around for sampling. When preparing fish Parikash, there is a traditional Croatian saying “the fish needs to drink too.” (meaning add wine to fish Parikash as it adds taste to the soup)

The Antique Market

To end the day I got a chance to walk around the Antique Market. Here I got a glimpse of what material things and necessities people used to have before smart phones. One of oddities was finding an old heavy steel clothes Iron (not electric) that would be heated over coals from the fireplace. Other prize possessions were the Manual type writer, and gramophones as families used to gather around in the evening to listen to music before TV was invented. There are a wealth of things that you may remember from days long ago. This is also a great place to find odd and unusual things for antique hunters. The market also has an amazing selection of food from hand-made cheese to meats and desserts. If your feet hurt too much from walking there is the traditional courtyard café to relax. (Important to note: “The first Saturday of every month the Antique Market takes place)

Source: http://www.tzosijek.hr/index.php/news/708-dani-vina-turizma-i-cikloturizma-u-osijeku-07-05