Knödel


Knödel or Klöße are boiled dumplings commonly found in Central European and East European cuisine. Central European countries in which their variant of Knödel is popular include Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. They are also found in Scandinavian, Romanian, North-eastern Italian cuisine, Ukrainian and Belarusian cuisines. Usually made from flour, bread or potatoes, they are often served as a side dish, but can also be a dessert such as plum dumplings, or even meat balls in soup. Many varieties and variations exist.

Etymology

The word Knödel is German and derives from the Latin word nōdus. Through the Old High German chnodo and the Middle High German knode it finally changed to the modern expression. Knödel in Hungary are called gombóc or knédli; in Slovenia, knedli or cmoki; in the Czech Republic, knedlíky ; in Slovakia, knedle ; in Luxembourg, Kniddel; in Bosnia, Croatia, Poland and Serbia, knedle; in Bukovina, cnigle; and, in Italy, canederli. In some regions of the United States, klub is used to refer specifically to potato dumplings. A similar dish is known in Sweden and in Norway, filled with salty meat; and in Canada.

Varieties

Knödel are used in various dishes in Austrian, German, and Czech cuisine. From these regions, Knödel spread throughout Europe.