Brathering

Brathering is a cherished traditional dish from northern Germany, featuring fried marinated herring that is perfect for lunch or a quick snack. You can often find it at fast food stands or take-out spots.

To make Brathering, fresh herring is either breaded or coated in flour, fried to perfection, and then pickled in a tangy marinade. This marinade is a flavorful blend of white vinegar, water, onions, salt, spices like pepper, bay leaves, mustard seeds, and a hint of sugar. The magic of the marinade is that it softens the herring's thin bones, making them much easier to eat. Plus, once prepared, fried herring can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, and you can even find Brathering conveniently packed in cans at the store.

When it comes to serving Brathering, it's typically enjoyed cold. It's often paired with warm fried potatoes (Bratkartoffeln) or a refreshing cold potato salad (Kartoffelsalat). Another popular way to savor Brathering is in a fish sandwich (Fischbrötchen).

There's also an intriguing historical tidbit: Martin Luther, the famous theologian, mentioned that Brathering with cooked green peas and mustard was one of his favorite meals. While this combination isn't widely known today, it's an interesting nod to the dish's past.

Brathering also made an appearance in literature, specifically in Matthias Zschokke's diary novel "Lieber Niels" where it was described somewhat unfavorably as "old-fashioned" and tasting like mud. Despite this critique, Brathering remains a beloved part of German culinary tradition.