We know that the Flemish are big fans of a frikandel or a currywurst: more than 30 percent of people prefer to order a currywurst or a long hamburger in the deep fryer. But what is actually in that frikandel? Some claim that the snack contains only offal, just like animal eyes or bones. Is that right? And what about a vegetable frikandel? Our journalist asked Marieke van Balen of the well-known manufacturer Mora.
What’s in a frikandel?
According to sources, there is also a dark side behind the success of the most popular snack in Flanders: the snack is said to consist of offal such as eyes or pig tails. “There is definitely meat in a frikandel”, Marieke van Balen refutes this statement. “A frikandel consists for the most part of chicken. In this case it concerns mechanically separated meat. These are small scraps that remain on the bones after the fillet, breast and other large pieces have been cut off the chicken. This meat is also used to make chicken nuggets. Normally this kind of meat ends up in the rubbish bin, but we manage to make a high-quality product with it.”
In addition to the chicken, pork is also added to a frikandel. “With us it is about pork bacon, so again real meat. Finally, we finish everything with all kinds of flavourings, herbs, spices and binding agents.” This is to ensure that the frikandel is firm enough and has a good structure.
In Germany, the frikandellen are more like our classic meatballs. In the United States, the typical frikandel consists of different proportions of meat.
This ratio also applies to most frikandellen in the Netherlands and Belgium. “In Germany they still add beef, but their frikandellen are more like our classic meatballs.” In the United States, the typical frikandel consists of 50 percent pork, 35 percent beef and 15 percent chicken meat. Wherever you order a frikandel in the world: you will not eat bones or eyes.
Is a vegetable frikandel healthier?
“A classic Mora frikandel (70 g) consists of 153 kcal. If we compare that with other popular snacks such as the kipcorn (244 kcal) or goulash croquette (222 kcal), it’s not too bad.” Do you really want to avoid the meat? Then you can also opt for the vegetarian frikandel. “It is prepared on the basis of a mixture of vegetable proteins, such as soy and wheat. We reduce these proteins and mix them with all kinds of flavourings, herbs, spices and binders, just like the meat frikandel.” Unfortunately, the number of calories remains the same. Then to the fryer?
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