The Menu
German Beers
Soft Pretzels with Assorted Mustards
German Sausages with Apples, Sauerkraut, and Onion
Boiled Potatoes with Parsley and Dill
Roasted Plums and Rum Raisins

Celebrated from late September through early October, Oktoberfest is generally regarded as the world's largest fair.

During this time, 6 million revelers crowd Munich, Germany, as well as other cities, to celebrate Bavarian culture. Pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut, pickles, and hearty German beers are essential to this feast.

Creating a similar meal at home couldn't be easier. This menu relies largely on procuring and assembling the right ingredients. Many stores and butchers sell German sausages; any type will do just fine when served atop apple-sweetened sauerkraut. And don't be intimidated by homemade pretzels -- they rise from a simple yeasted dough that requires very little time.

After such a substantial spread, serve roasted plums for a sweet finish. Those of us without passage to Munich may miss the local festivities, but we will find ourselves nourished by the Bavarian spirit alive around the table.

Text by Lucinda Scala Quinn