Description
The Schwäbische Maultaschen PGI are stuffed pasta pouches filled with minced meat or vegetables. They are square or rounded pasta pouches composed Durum wheat flour and/or ordinary flour, whole egg, water and salt for the dough. Pork, beef, in some cases smoked pork belly, spinach, parsley, onions, eggs, spices, bread and leek for the filling.
Production Area
Schwäbische Maultaschen PGI are produced in the geographical area of Swabia which comprises all of Baden-Württemberg and all of the region of Swabia in Bavaria.
Production Method
Flour, durum wheat flour, eggs and water are mixed and kneaded to a dough. The dough is extruded or rolled into a thin sheet. The filling (minced meat or vegetables) is then made and mixed with bread, spinach, onions and spices. The filling portions are then measured out onto the dough. The dough is wrapped over and cut into individual Maultaschen portions, heated, then cooled to 2 to 7 °C. Goods to be marketed deep-frozen are frozen to - 18 °C.
Appearance and Flavour
The dough casing is pale yellow to pale grey, the filling loosely mixed with the structure still recognisable, whilst the shape is square or rounded.
History
Schwäbische Maultaschen PGI are a Swabian speciality with a centuries-old tradition held in high esteem by consumers. In addition to being the traditional Lenten fare eaten on Maundy Thursday, in Swabia Maultaschen have now become a highly popular all-year-round dish. Maultaschen are mentioned in Swabian literature and associated with a large number of festivals and customs in Swabia like the Maultaschen festival held in Freiberg am Neckar. Maultaschen are now made and sold in Swabia by almost all butcher's shops, meat product manufacturers and local restaurants.
Gastronomy
Schwäbische Maultaschen PGI must be kept in a cool and dry place, or in the freezer for the frozen products. Schwäbische Maultaschen PGI are consumed after being boiled or fried. One of the recipes based on Maultaschen contains Jamón Serrano TSG, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. They can also be cooked with Schwarzwälder Schinken PGI.
Marketing
The product is sold in the two varieties: Schwäbische Maultaschen and Schwäbische Suppenmaultaschen PGI. It is marketed fresh or packed.
Distinctive Features
No other Swabian dish is as popular and as well-known as a speciality way beyond the borders of Swabia as the Schwäbische Maultaschen PGI. Swabian literature is littered with poems and stories about Maultaschen. With tongue in cheek, the Swabian author Thaddäus Troll even once likened the Swabian identity to a Maultasche.
