Specialties of South Tyrolean cuisine
The traditional Schüttelbrot
Created by South Tyrolean alpine farmers
Schüttelbrot is a crispy flatbread, particularly popular in South Tyrol, made from rye flour, water, yeast, salt, and spices (caraway, fennel seeds, anise, zedoary, or coriander), with regional variations in taste and appearance. It is known for its long shelf life and is traditionally eaten with speck or cheese during a snack break.
The dough of Schüttelbrot is loosened by shaking before baking and shaped into the characteristic thin flat form. This shape ensures that the bread hardens quickly after baking and can be stored for a long time without spoiling. Schüttelbrot was traditionally dried and stored in the alpine huts of Tyrol, as managing fresh goods was too labor-intensive for the herder.
Schlutzkrapfen – the South Tyrolean speciality with heart
A Delicious Tradition from the Alps
Schlutzkrapfen are a regional pasta specialty from South Tyrol, resembling Italian ravioli. For this reason, they are also known as “ravioli tirolesi” in Italy.
Schlutzkrapfen are about the size of a hazelnut and are made with a mixture of rye and wheat flour. Traditionally, the filling consists of veal or beef, or potatoes, but in South Tyrol, the most common filling is a combination of spinach and ricotta. Variations with fillings such as onions, nutmeg, and eggs can also be found.
Strauben: A Sweet Delight from the Mountains
Freshly fried and dusted with sugar!
One of the best and most famous South Tyrolean desserts are undoubtedly the Strauben. They are a staple at church festivals and are also prepared at village celebrations throughout the year, right before the eyes of waiting food lovers.
Baking these round or spiral-shaped treats is an art that many farmers’ wives and homemakers still master perfectly. The dough, made from milk, flour, and eggs, is poured into hot oil through a special Strauben funnel with skilled movements, frying it to a golden yellow. Sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with cranberry jam, it’s a true delight!
