Really. In the whole country, too:
Public transport in Luxembourg is a quick, clean and free way of getting from A to B. Yes, you read it correctly, it’s “free”! Since 2020, all forms of public transport, including buses, trains and the brand-new tram, are free throughout the entire country.
luxembourg.public.lu/...
It has traditionally been a strategic point in Europe’s many wars:
Luxembourg, country in northwestern Europe. One of the world’s smallest countries, it is bordered by Belgium on the west and north, France on the south, and Germany on the northeast and east…. The ancient Saxon name of its capital city, Lucilinburhuc (“Little Fortress”), symbolized its strategic position as “the Gibraltar of the north,” astride a major military route linking Germanic and Frankish territories.
www.britannica.com/...
It’s the world’s last self-governing Grand Duchy!
Luxembourg is a representative democracy headed by a constitutional monarch, Grand Duke Henri, making it the world's only remaining sovereign grand duchy.
en.wikipedia.org/...
YouTube wasn’t very forthcoming with actual recipes for Luxembourgian recipes, so the actual written recipes don’t necessarily match the videos.
Gromperekichelcher or potato fritters are very popular.
Luxembourg potato fritters called gromperekichelcher (trying saying that three times fast) are awesome. Crispy fritters made of grated potatoes, onions, shallots and parsley, held together with some flour and eggs. Typically these are made flat, but I missed that part of the instructions as I just used my tablespoon scooper and dropped them in my deep fryer. They were delicious, but to be authentic, they should be formed flat like a small pancake.
www.internationalcuisine.com/...
[7:24] Recipe here: www.internationalcuisine.com/...
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The Chateau de Vianden has been rebuilt from a ruined hulk. It looks amazing:
Vianden Castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries on the foundations of a Roman ‘castellum’ and a Carolingian refuge. It is one of the largest and most beautiful feudal residences of the romanesque and gothic periods in Europe. Until the beginning of the 15th century it was the seat of the influential counts of Vianden who could boast their close connections to the Royal Family of France and the German imperial court. Henry I of Vianden (1220-1250) is known as ‘the Sun Count’ for it is during his tenure that the holdings, lifestyle and influence of the House of Vianden reached its zenith.
castle-vianden.lu/...
I mean, how cool is this?
Here’s a peek at its interior:
Those potato fritters are a lovely accompaniment to Trout in Riesling Sauce.
Luxembourg trout in Riesling sauce is a lovely main dish. The trout is first fried in a bit of butter and then finished in the oven with a delectable herb and Riesling cream sauce.
www.internationalcuisine.com/...
Recipe at the link above. [2:46]
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As you would expect of a place between France, Germany, and Belgium, Luxembourg has been inhabited for millennia.
The earliest human remains found in present-day Luxembourg date from about 5140 bce, but little is known about the people who first populated the area. Two Belgic tribes, the Treveri and Mediomatrici, inhabited the country from about 450 bce until the Roman conquest of 53 bce.
www.britannica.com/...
It’s not that I’m really into castles, but here’s another spectacular one — and what a setting! This one, however, is only about 60 years old.
Judd mat Gaardebounen is a popular peasant dish, sometimes considered the national dish of Luxembourg.
The typical Luxembourg dish is “Judd mat Gaardebounen”, or smoked pork accompanied by broad beans. Pork is, in fact, the most widely used type of meat in the country's diet.
newdailycompass.com/...
Recipe is at the link above. Here’s an inauthentic video [14:11]:
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If you like architecture, Luxembourg is the place to go.
The grand duchy’s architectural heritage extends through practically the entire span of Europe’s recorded history, from ancient Gallo-Roman villas to medieval castles, Gothic and Baroque churches, and contemporary buildings.
www.britannica.com/...
But there are also gorgeous landscapes.
How about some Kniddelen mat Speck, or dumplings with bacon?
A recipe for Kniddelen (Luxembourgish Dumplings)! These homemade dumplings are served in a bacon cream sauce for quite the comforting meal.
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For today’s event, I am sharing one of my absolute favorite Luxembourgish meals- Kniddelen mat Speck (dumplings with bacon). This dish is such an incredible comfort food, especially during the cold winter months.
tarasmulticulturaltable.com/...
[4:14] A more comprehensive recipe is here: tarasmulticulturaltable.com/...
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While Luxembourgish is the official language, French and German are also spoken.
Luxembourg has been one of the historic crossroads of Europe, and myriad peoples have left their bloodlines as well as their cultural imprints on the grand duchy. The Celts, the Belgic peoples known as the Treveri, the Ligurians and Romans from Italy, and especially the Franks were most influential. The language spoken by Luxembourg’s native inhabitants is Luxembourgish, or Lëtzebuergesch, a Moselle-Franconian dialect of German that has been enriched by many French words and phrases.
www.britannica.com/...
It’s a gorgeous country.
And for dessert, Quetschentaart or damson plum tart.
Quetschentaart, one of the classics of Luxembourgish baking. The simple fruit tart is a traditional autumn treat, and you’ll find it at bakeries across the country at this time of year. Damson tart is made with “Quetschen”, which translates into damsons, a sort of plum. Quetschen have a slightly elongated shape, they’re darker than plums, almost deep purple, and they have a long, thin stone.
anneskitchen.lu/...
This video is in French, and included just to give an idea of it. A recipe in English is at the link above. [3:50]
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So c’mon into the cafe and grab a cuppa...
...and a nice nosh...
...and join us!
New Day Cafe is an open thread. What do you want to talk about today?