Strudel Fest in Bačka Palanka | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

Strudel Fest is a traditional tourism and gastronomy event that has been taking place in Bačka Palanka, usually at the end of August, for over a decade, with the idea of preserving the tradition of the Danube Swabians in Vojvodina.

Strudel Fest is organized by the Association of Germans from Bačka Palanka, but the event certainly doesn't have a national character, as it also features exhibitors from Hungarian, Serbian, Slovak, and other masters of making this famous and authentic delicacy of the flatland regions.

Strudel arrived in our regions with the Habsburgs, and it was an essential dessert on their court tables. Its German origin is evident from its name, which translates to "whirlpool" or "eddy," reminiscent of the texture of the strudel pastry.

Originally, it is Tradition of the Danube Swabians, and under their influence, making strudel became a custom in Vojvodina over time. Although deeply ingrained in Serbian cuisine today, it is widely believed that the best strudels are those prepared according to German recipes.

The oldest preserved recipe for apple strudel dates back to 1696 and is kept in the City Library in Vienna. In addition to apple strudel, which is considered the only original one in Austria, it can also be prepared with poppy seeds or walnuts, and more recently with various other fillings.

There are various recipes, but besides the ingredients used for the filling, the basic ones include flour, milk, yeast, eggs, oil, salt, and sugar, with a final dusting of powdered sugar. According to local housewives who exhibit their strudels at the festival, the most important thing is not to skimp on ingredients.

In Bačka Palanka and Vojvodina in general, the most common strudel is the one with poppy seeds. One of the secrets lies in adding small pieces of lemon zest to make the poppy seeds more flavorful and juicy.

In these regions, it is customary to knead the strudel on Sundays as part of a festive table. Unlike in the past when it was a whole ritual involving the housewives kneading the dough, waiting for it to rest a bit, then rolling it out, spreading the filling, rolling it up, and baking it, today strudels are easily accessible in bakeries and pastry shops. However, it is clear that no other strudel can compare to the homemade one, kneaded with love and dedication.

Strudel Fest is a one-day, or rather a several-hour event, usually reserved for a beautiful August afternoon when the irresistible aroma of strudel spreads through Bačka Palanka. The town center is filled with stalls where, in addition to poppy seed and walnut strudels, you can find those with apple, cherry, carob, and even savory ingredients like cracklings.

The organizers believe that the local housewives cook with heart, so women's associations are guaranteed a place, while professional pastry chefs can only attend as guests for tasting.

This year's 15th edition of the Strudel Fest is planned for Sunday, September 3rd. For more details and information about the festival, you can refer to the local media of the Bačka Palanka municipality.