The Dutch celebrate their Oudejaarsavond (New Years Eve) in a pretty similar manner to the US with one explosive exception. People get together with family and friends to spend time together. Then, when the clock strikes twelve everyone goes completely bonkers and runs outside to set off fireworks! We have a pretty good view from our balcony so we usually stay home (so as not to get blown up) and watch from there. From midnight on there's a pretty good solid hour of explosions and bangs that shake the windows and probably terrify small children and animals. It starts to taper off a little around 2:30 or so, but you'll still hear a straggler every now and then through the rest of the night.
Before the booms and bangs though, you need to eat your oliebollen!
Oliebollen are a traditional treat and one of the only times during the year we actually use our deep fryer.
Our oliebollen usually look like olierandomshapes, but they taste good! You can buy a box mix from the supermarket or get really crazy and make it from scratch.
4 c. (500 grams) white all purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 grams) yeast
1 tsp (5 grams) salt
2 cups (1/2 liter) lukewarm milk
1 cup (250 grams) raisins
powdered sugar for sprinkling
oil for deep frying
In a large bowl make a dough from the first four ingredients. Let rise in warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Mix raisins in with the dough. Let rise again. In the mean time, heat the oil to 350 F (180 C). With two spoons, make small balls and drop into the oil. Turn if needed. When the balls are light brown use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar to serve.
It's a good thing we only have these once a year!
Please visit the next blog on the list Just a Plane Ride Away by JaPra and continue on the journey!
14 comments:
A lot of the guys that I worked with in the Netherlands used to have or go to card playing parties for New Years Eve. I wonder if this was just in that part of the country or if people do it all over.
BBE
Oh gosh those sound delicious!
That is very similar to what we do here in USA ... then there are those that prefer big fancy dancy parties. TTFN ~ Marydon
Good topic :)
I love the NYE oliebollen. My partner said that when he was growing up he remembers that on 31st Dec. they'd go to his Granny's house and her and his Mum had buckets filled with oliebollen mixture. They made them all afternoon and he said they ate so much that every year him or his brother who he shared a room with would be throw up. You'd think they'd learn a lesson but apparently every year they'd stuff their faces knowing full well they were probably going to be really ill that night!
Oh yummy, deep-fried ANYTHING is great!! :D Nice to meet you via WBSD!
Oh, how I love oliebollen... Dank U wel for typing the recipe! :D
Have a great WBSD!
Emmanuelle
blushing rose reminded me of another big difference between North American and Dutch New Years...After I got passed the stage of the overpriced bashes at the bars and hotels back home, I started getting Chinese takeout on New Years, which is one of the biggest nights of the year for takeaway. But in Holland, EVERYTHING closes early, including bars and restaurants. It's really a home- or neighbourhood-based celebration here.
And Halfweg never gave a crap what time it was...the fireworks went on ALL freaking day and night...We returned jetlagged from Canada one January 1...and couldn't get to sleep because of the noise...never again!!
I never graved fro Oliebollen but appeflappen are delicious.)!
When I lived in Miami we flew them over for a Dutch new years party..))
New Years evening in Turkey is like Christmas with trees and so.!
Hans
This looks wonderful. I have never heard of it and I can't wait to try it:)
Thank you for sharing your way of Celebrating the Holiday! I absolutely love reading your blog :)
Sounds yummy!
I love that you included a recipe with your post! I am going to file this away in my Expat recipe binder... it's about three inches thick now ;-)
PS Thanks for the warning about the fireworks. I'm still trying to get used to the 1st of the month sirens--haha!
The recipe sounds great, I might try that one this year ;-) As for firework, the same one here in Prague, you learn to shut your window very, very quickly when a rocket comes your direction ;-) SY
PS My apologies to everybody that left a comment on my own WBSD post, I had to change its 'home' and lost all comments already made *sniff-sniff*, SY
Mub - Great WBSD post. The Oliebollen sound & look wonderful. I wonder if I'll get any this New Year's Eve!
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