Hot German potato salad…

Before Marty and I created The Vermont Spätzle Company, I used to make regular spätzle like everyone in the world does, ours is the only one of its kind, and we make a lot of it. If you don’t know, we don’t use wheat in our spätzle, so it’s gluten-free, it’s also lighter, and you don’t have to boil it, just a quick sauté.

I used to make regular wheat spätzle maybe four times a year; I also used to make hot German potato salad from time to time as something different to serve. I should say that I haven’t made it often since the kids wouldn’t eat it or try it.

Hot German potato salad is a lost dish from the old country people used to make; I’m not sure if anyone makes it anymore. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it served at someone’s home or in a restaurant other than a German one.

Marty and his dad, Hans, used to belong to the Vermont Garden Railway Society. Members take turns hosting the event. The summer after Marty’s mother passed away; it was our turn. His dad was looking forward to it and was excited to come to our place and show off the garden railroad.

This was many years ago, long before our spätzle business. We didn’t have Otto and Klaus yet, so the grass was in great shape. However, the train layout needed work, along with the numerous flower beds and plants in the layout.

The property needed to be immaculate, and it was. Our local garden club sponsors tours of the people’s gardens and properties in town. The tour was the day after the train meet, so it worked out perfectly.

At the train meets, people bring potluck-type dishes. I told the club that I would provide the food without worrying about cross-contamination issues since we were extremely gluten sensitive.

People try their best to make safe gluten-free food but don’t realize gluten masquerades as many other ingredient names. They also don’t understand using a spoon from a gluten-laden dish and then taking something gluten-free with the same spoon will make me sick for close to a week. It’s true.

I served grilled bratwurst and other German sausages, red cabbage with apples and onions, hot German potato, and a black forest sheet cake for the train meet. I made a couple of other things, but I don’t remember what they were.

When I planned the menu, I didn’t know that 80% of the train club members and their wives who also came along were Germans. German people may be hard to please when it comes to German food, but I knew my dishes were delicious and if they hated it, so be it.

We had a gorgeous summer day and a big turnout for the train meet. I finished preparing the German buffet and called everyone to lunch. I admit I was nervous when grilling the sausages and reheating the red cabbage and potato salad. I took some vodka from the freezer and drank a small glass of “ice water.” I wasn’t nervous anymore.

I didn’t take any food photos; I didn’t even think about it since I was scurrying around getting everything out hot at the same time. I wish I had, though. The black forest cake was amazing!

The club members were older people, very conservative and traditional. Some looked stern others seemed nice. While they filled their plates, I refilled my “ice water.” I watched them eat, and everyone ate silently. Did they like it or not? It was hard to tell.

I thought they ate silently because maybe that is how they were raised. After they finished eating, I got compliments galore. Everyone loved the food! The one man who seemed stern said to me in a whisper, “Your red cabbage was even better than my mother’s.”

I started to cut the black forest cake and handed it out. I was relaxed and chatted with everyone. When someone told me how delicious the black forest cake was, I said to them that was the biggest compliment since it was gluten-free. Gluten-free, they gasped; I laughed and was pleased.

One man spoke up, almost for the group. He started by saying they didn’t know what to expect before arriving. He went on to say what a lovely hostess I was; the food was better than his mother’s German food too.

He added I made everyone feel welcome and made everything look effortless. Then he complimented Marty and Sam on the outdoor garden railway.

I stood there in my black sundress, both arms with tattooed sleeves, and my whole back covered in ink as well. When I talked to the wives earlier, they stared at my nose and the medusa piercing under my nose. I had an excellent buzz cranking and didn’t let it bother me.

I think the women were especially ready to judge me, but after meeting me, my tattoos and piercings didn’t matter, or that I was at least 20 years younger than everyone present. I was judged on my food and entertainment skills, not my appearance. Maybe I changed their minds about people living the tattooed lifestyle?

The railroad society members enjoyed themselves, and so did I, something I didn’t expect to happen. I stressed about it for a couple of weeks; I wanted everything to be perfect, which never happens.

In the end, we pulled it off. Marty and Sam did a lot of work outside to get everything ready for the meet, and it all paid off; people were impressed with their garden railroad!

Today, I am making a batch of German potato salad to take on the road with us this weekend; it will go with some German sausages. We are going to visit my mom (biological) for a couple of days. Yay!

We haven’t seen each other since last May, and we look forward to it. She and I are alike in many ways, and I love getting to know her better whenever I am with her. Marty notices how our mannerisms and other things are blatantly similar even though sometimes we can’t see them.

I respect my mother’s wishes and privacy, so even though I will take some photos of Marty and me, I won’t be posting any of her, but I will write about our visit. We won’t be back until Tuesday, so that I will catch up with you guys then. I plan to unplug and stay off my email and social media accounts, enjoying the people I am with in person.

Happy Friday and have a nice weekend, everyone! By the way, if you have a large turkey in the freezer, take it out tonight and defrost it properly and safely in a pan in the refrigerator; you’ll thank me Wednesday when you start your holiday prepping. ❤️