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Goetta is a dish that has been beloved in the Cincinnati area for generations. It is something of an acquired taste, but for those who have fallen in love with it, it is unrivaled comfort food.
Goetta is made from a combination of ground pork and beef, usually mixed with steel-cut oats and spices. The resulting mix is then formed into a loaf, boiled and then thinly sliced before frying in a pan of butter. The resulting meal is a hearty combination of salty, earthy flavors that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Goetta’s flavor is often compared to that of scrambled eggs, but its texture is something else entirely. The steel-cut oats give it a toothsome chewiness that is unique and extremely satisfying. The fat in the pork and beef provides moisture and richness, while the addition of spices gives it some pleasant heat. It’s no wonder that Goetta has been a favorite of Cincinnatians for so long!
Besides being delicious, Goetta is incredibly versatile. It can be served plain with a side of eggs or vegetables, used in sandwiches like a hamburger patty, or even cut up and added to casseroles. Its versatility makes it a great item to keep in the refrigerator for last minute meals.
Though it’s one of Cincinnati’s most beloved dishes, Goetta can also be intimidating for the uninitiated. Those unfamiliar with the flavors and textures may need to make several attempts before finding their appreciation for the dish. But for those who’ve grown to love its unusual mixture of flavors and textures, there’s no denying that Goetta is truly a regional delicacy.
Amazing Goetta recipes sourced from the web.
One of Cincinnati's most beloved culinary creations, Goetta, is a unique concoction of ground meat, steel-cut oats, and an array of spices. It can be traced back thousands of years to medieval Europe, where hearty grains like barley were mixed with whatever type of meat was available for simple peasant dishes. Interestingly enough, the forerunners of this dish weren't always referred to as “Goetta,” but rather “Griess,” or “Greutten,” depending on the region in which it was prepared.
The earliest known version of Goetta appears to have been created in Germany as far back as 1710. It was originally served at weddings and special occasions, and was made using pork and beef, mushy oats, onions, bay leaves, and spices. Families would often save the excess fat from meals and render them down to incorporate into their Goetta recipe, thus making it a thrifty and efficient way to create a filling meal. As German immigrants began to settle in America, and especially in the great Midwest region of Cincinnati, the dish became a staple of the Ohio River Valley.
The name “Goetta” itself is thought to be a phonetic spelling of the German word “Griess,” commonly used at the time by the immigrants to describe Griessbrei, another name for the dish. The exact origin of the spelling is still unknown, however, with some believing it could have been adopted from the Scottish-Gaelic word “Guth,” meaning a “mess of pottage,” or stew. This is supported by the fact that many German immigrants in the area had Scots-Irish heritage.
Today, Goetta has grown to become a beloved dish among Cincinnati locals, with its savory and smoky taste becoming a hallmark of the city. It is usually served pan-fried with onions and eggs, or even as a savory breakfast sausage. It's also popularly used as a stuffing for green peppers and tomatoes, or as a topping for hot dogs. In whichever form it takes, this centuries-old dish continues to bring a little bit of Germany to the heart of the Ohio Valley.
Getta is a traditional German-American dish comprised of oats, meat, onions and spices. It might sound like an unusual combination, but it's got a unique flavor profile that has kept it popular for centuries.
If you've never had goetta before and are curious to learn more, then you've come to the right place. Goetta comes in a variety of forms, so there's sure to be a type that you'll enjoy.
Goetta Reiberdatschi is one of the earliest types of goetta. It's a flattened oval shape made from ground pork, oats, onions and spices. It's usually sliced and grilled until crispy on the outside and has a savory interior. This type of goetta is popular served with mashed potatoes and cabbage or pickled beetroot and is sometimes even served as a dessert.
Cincinnati-style goetta is another type of goetta and is made with pork and beef, or just pork for a vegetarian option. The mixture is then formed into a log and cut into slices once firm. It's often served fried with eggs, potatoes or as a side dish.
Goetta Gumbo is yet another form of the dish and originates from the city of Cincinnati. It consists of pork, beef or veal, oats, green peppers, celery, onions, tomato sauce and herbs. It is then cooked slowly and served over white rice.
Finally, when goetta is combined with potatoes, onions, cheese and bacon bits, it's known as Glier's Goetta. This dish is then fried and can be served on its own, or as a topping for burgers and hotdogs.
No matter what type of goetta you try, it's sure to be an interesting experience. So don't be afraid to give this traditional US dish a try. Who knows, you may end up enjoying the surprising medley of flavors.