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BrettljauseAppetizing, simple and genuine: "Brettljause" is a traditional snack in Alto Adige. Sausages, speck, cheese, and pickles are presented on a wooden board, accompanied by crusty bread and hearty wine. This custom originates in the rural culture of Alto Adige, still very much alive in the characteristic chalets and farmsteads. For "Brettljause", speck is generally served in a thick slab, 3 cm thick and is then cut into pieces at the table. For this reason the speck has to be sufficiently aged.Since it was a food that met the daily protein requirements, speck was popular with hard-working field workers and a source of energy during long marches. It was also a centerpiece of celebratory banquets and hospitable meals. It is still served today on these very occasions: speck, bread and wine is the "sacred trinity" in South Tyrol and is always available in any home. Hosts offer it to visitors as a simple sign of hospitality. Proof of the mythical-religious symbolism held by speck among connoisseurs is emphasized in the legend that Heinz Winkler named the Tyrolese "trio" as one of his favorite dishes to eat with friends. |