Frankfurt without Frankfurters!!!

Vegan food display in
airport supermarket

I spent a wonderful week during June in Frankfurt, Germany as a guest of the City of Frankfurt am Main Visiting Program for former Jewish Citizens and their Descendants. I have written much about this trip from a personal point of view on my other blog (http://mexicotravel-susan-ricardo.blogspot.com/) so will confine this post to my experiences related to plant based food and meals.

My cousin Rolf Sturm and I
- sampling the special vegan food at the
Welcome Reception at the Palmengarten

I wondered before traveling what the situation would be like as I knew from growing up in a German family that there is a large focus on meat, sausage, etc. In fact, I have some fond memories of some of those foods during another lifetime! I had some time at the Frankfurt airport to wait for my sister who was arriving from NY on another plane so I headed to a grocery store that was right in the airport (amazing) and found this vegan display of all kinds of foods that I never expected to find. With that in mind, I realized that I would probably find all kinds of options around the city and I am pleased to say that I was correct. I rarely worry in this world as there are so many options. People always ask me about travel and how I eat. Since I have other constraints as well because I choose not eat any sugar nor any gluten, I still never miss a meal and find food wherever I go. Being flexible (and sometimes repetitive) is my key.

Asparagus season - everywhere

White and green Spargel - asparagus

It was asparagus season in Frankfurt. We were lucky to be served this delicious veggie in many places and to see it everywhere in markets and small stands around town - including one near out hotel on the outskirts of the city. They have these special large white asparagus at this time. Also plentiful everywhere were strawberries. We did not have any cooking facilities for the week so were left to the preparations of others.

Saturday we had time to wander the city and came upon a gigantic food market, festival and farmers market. As always, this is a feast for my eyes of food, color, smell and genuine fun.

Saturday market in Frankfurt

Saturday market in Frankfurt

I found it amazing that there were so many vegan signs, including this one in a train station marking special vegan pastries. We also went to several wonderful restaurants where I was always able to find something good. In a typical "German" restaurant, I found eggplant schnitzel instead of meat.

Vegan pastries - this was in a subway station

My sister was also part of this trip and it was great to share time with her as we explored our family roots. We were joined by many others, and especially important was the time with my cousin, Rolf Sturm from Basel, Switzerland who is an activist for veganism in his city and country. Because of the two of us, the City of Frankfurt, when providing us meals went out of their way to make sure that we were satisfied. At the opening reception the whole catered meal was vegan for everyone (many were kosher so this worked for them as well) and at the closing reception in City Hall, you will see in photos the special menu for us as well as the beautiful meal that was prepared.

Menu for our closing reception

Delicious dinner at the closing reception

So, if you are wondering about traveling in this city of Frankfurt, and I suspect in many other German and European cities....do not worry - you will find delicious food everywhere.