Stamppot, Hutspot, and Zuurkool-Oh My!

Stamppot. Hutspot. Zuurkool.

Tiny Dutch villages? Vulgar Dutch profanities? Renowned Dutch painters? In fact, these words fall under none of the aforementioned categories. They are the names of the traditional Dutch dishes concocted by CIEE students at our Wednesday cooking workshop!

In a flurry of bowls, cutting boards, and cooking knives, students and Program Leaders worked together to prepare stamppot (mashed potatoes and endives), hutspot (potatoes, carrots, and onions), and zuurkool (sauerkraut and apples).

The first of these Dutch gastronomic staples was allegedly the product of a 1574 legend: Spanish soldiers left behind potato bits during the Eighty Years' War, and so the recipe for stamppot was born. To celebrate this occasion, the Dutch eat hutspot every year on October 3, a holiday known as Leidens Ontzet.

After preparing the dishes (and petting the local dog to their heart's content), students had the chance to taste their own creations, topped with meatballs, gravy, and mustard on the side. Student reactions were admittedly mixed; I myself thought they would be extra tasty in the winter with a helping of Dijon. And whether they were huge fans or not, students overwhelmingly let us know that they loved getting the opportunity to cook authentic Dutch food in the heart of the capital!

-CB