The Differences of German, Wendish and Czech Noodles

Oodles of Noodles

Anyone who grew up around this area most likely ate noodles as one of their first solid foods, and probably hasn’t slowed down their noodle eating by much. I recently was told that there is a difference between German noodles, Wendish noodles and Czech/Bohemian noodles. Well, having never met a noodle I didn’t like, I set out to find just what these differences are.

With some help from the folks at the Wendish museum in Serbin, I learned that when people think of German noodles (in areas that are not around these parts), they think of Spaetzle. Spaetzle is made of eggs, milk, salt and flour, and is “grated” over a pot of boiling water with a hopper-type spaetzle maker or a potato ricer spaetzle maker. The rule of thumb on spaetzle is to use one more egg than the number of persons who will be eating the spaetzle.

Wendish noodles, which are very common around this area, are made with an egg, water and flour. Some people add butter after the noodles are finished cooking. Some people only use the egg yolk, for a more yellow noodle. While it is unknown exactly when and where the Wends began to make noodles, it is thought that the recipe came over with them when they emigrated from Germany and was passed down from generation to generation. This is purely an assumption, as there is no written documentation of it. Some people think that noodles were developed and evolved here. Speaking to some people in the area that are of Wendish descent, they commented that in the German area where the Wends came from, you can buy noodles, but they typically are not served with the food there. When the Wends arrived in Texas, many families did not have much in the way of supplies and money. The community was initially limited to what they could grow themselves, including the wheat needed for flour. Wendish noodles are a great example of a true pioneer food because of the simple ingredients needed to make them. Everyone soon had chickens, and noodles were a good way to use the eggs and other simple ingredients to make a large amount of filling food. I’m told the traditional Wendish noodle recipe is: one egg, water to fill half of the egg shell (about three tablespoons) and one-and-one-half to two cups flour.

At the Wendish Museum in Serbin, they take noodle making very seriously. In addition to selling noodles, they have several books about noodles, including noodle recipes that have been passed down from area families. There are noodle caps, shirts and stickers for sale for the noodle connoisseur.

The “Noodle Ladies,” as they are lovingly called, produce nearly 150 lbs. of noodles there each week. They allow the noodles to dry on racks for a day or two, and then are packaged up for sale in one-pound packages. Wendish noodles are typically boiled in chicken stock or chicken soup base. As Louise Krakosky always said, “Das ist nich pasta–das ist noodles.” (That is not pasta–that is noodles).

Czech/Bohemian noodles differ slightly from the traditional Wendish noodles. I’m told the major difference is the amount of eggs used. One recipe shared with me for Czech/Bohemian noodles was two cups of flour, three eggs and three tablespoons of water.

No matter what your noodle preference is, if you want to touch a German, Wendish, Czech or Bohemian’s heart, cook them some noodles.

Daylight Savings

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Election Location

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Holy Cross Church in Warda will be used as a polling place that day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Precinct 10 voters.

Amy Wagner Benefit

The pork steak dinner benefit/fundraiser for Amy Wagner is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the church office or from Rhonda Hentschel at (979) 250-3437 or Sherry Schramm at (979) 540-8897. You can also purchase tickets at La Grange Chevron. The deadline to purchase meal tickets is Thursday, Nov. 5. Drive-thru pick up will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Holy Cross picnic grounds.

The Ladies Aid of Holy Cross will also have a dessert table offering whole desserts for a free-will donation. All of the proceeds go to Amy’s fund to help pay medical expenses. If you’d like to bake something to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Baked goods can be brought by the dessert table on Sunday morning before church. If you need to drop off earlier than that, please contact Rhonda Hentschel at (979) 250-3437.

If you have any questions, please contact Cyndy Zoch at (979) 966-3166. You can also purchase raffle tickets. They are $10 each, or six for $50.

BBQ Chicken Fundraiser

The couples club will have their BBQ Chicken Fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 22. Chickens are $9 each and 16-oz. cups of sauce are $2 each. Drive-thru pick up will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Holy Cross picnic grounds. Advance orders only.

There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex of the church or you may call the church office at (979) 242-3333. You can also order from the La Grange Chevron at (979) 968-5032, Danny Jurk at (979) 242-3484 or Dennis Pietsch at (979) 542-1141. Pay when you pick up. The deadline to order is Monday, Nov. 16.

Holy Cross Services

Services at Holy Cross Lutheran Church are Sundays at 9 a.m. Bible Class and Sunday school follow the morning service.

Midweek communion service is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m.

Sermon links, streaming videos and additional information are at www.holycrosswarda.com.

Faith Lutheran High School

FLHS will be hosting a game night for seventh and eighth grade students on Friday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be lots of food, fun and fellowship. Parents, you must call FLHS to reserve your child’s spot this year, as space is limited due to distancing requirements.

Classes at FLHS are in session. Everyone is welcome to join their weekly Chapel Worship service held every Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. You can also follow them on Facebook or check out what’s happening at faithlutheranhighschool.com.

The faculty and staff are anxiously preparing for their accreditation visit from Nov. 8 through 10. This visit was delayed last spring due to COVID-19, but they are excited to walk through this process as the ministry at FLHS continues to grow.

If you would like to support the ministry, including volunteering your time and talents, please contact Nikki Kueck at Kueckn@faithlutheranhighschool.com.

Bible Study

Bible Study at Holy Cross has resumed on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The study is on the book of Psalms. Contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com or (979) 966-3166 for more information.

New Arrival

Bobby and Carolyn Buscha welcomed the birth of Carolyn’s great-grandson, Wyatt Jackson Olguin, on Oct. 14 in College Station. Those excited to welcome Wyatt home are his parents, Jeremy and Amanda (Fischer) Olguin, his big brother Luke and his grandparents, Daniel and Brenda Fischer.

Prayer Requests

Nancy I. Pietsch, Linda Lehmann, Jim Duke, Darrell Schubert, Rachel McDonald, Alfred and Ruby Bohot, Amy Wagner, Ron Peschke, Wesley Cervenka, Bethany Behrens Lara and Jessie Mendoza.

Special prayers for those serving in the military: Ingrid Devin-Kayne; Clayton Knight (Navy); Kirk Peschke; Coy Hunt (Army); and Ty Bounds (Marines).

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Liz Teinert - Nov. 1; Delores Marburger and Ashley Martin - 3; Lorie Lehmann - 4; Travis Teinert - 5; Roy Nietsche - 6; and Leonard Lehmann - 7.

Special birthday wishes are extended to William Jurk, who celebrates turning 85 on Nov. 7.

Anniversaries

Anniversary wishes are extended to Nancy and Clarence Pietsche, Jr., celebrating on Nov. 7.

Special Anniversary wishes are extended to William and Carol Jurk, who celebrate 62 years of marriage on Nov. 1.

Have News?

If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or Wardanews78960@gmail.com.