Food questions...Europe (Czech Rep, Germany, Austria anywhere along the Danube)...sausages

[Rebel54]

So since my last trip to Europe, I have removed pork from my diet.  Any form of pork.  I know this will be a challenge when eating out since pork is so popular.  Is it possible to get any sort of sausage that doesn't use any form of pork product in it....blood, fat, meat or intestine?  I've learned to make my own beef bacon and turkey sausage isn't too bad but I'm a little sad that I won't be able to enjoy at least one wurst along with my daughter.

 

Any suggestions?

[notamermaid]

You can certainly get beef sausage but as regards purity I cannot say if there is not a single bit of pork in it. You can get lamb and venison as well. Turkey is a bit rarer but possible to get. Eateries that mainly serve Muslim customers, which in Germany is the odd Oriental restaurant and the many, many Döner fast food places, serve normally no pork but German-style sausages are not typically on the menu. In restaurants you could simple ask if the beef sausage is 100% beef.

 

notamermaid

 

[Rebel54]

22 hours ago, notamermaid said:

You can certainly get beef sausage but as regards purity I cannot say if there is not a single bit of pork in it. You can get lamb and venison as well. Turkey is a bit rarer but possible to get. Eateries that mainly serve Muslim customers, which in Germany is the odd Oriental restaurant and the many, many Döner fast food places, serve normally no pork but German-style sausages are not typically on the menu. In restaurants you could simple ask if the beef sausage is 100% beef.

 

notamermaid

 

Thank you.  I was hoping you would respond.  Having lived in Germany for 3 years, I love me some bratwurst.  I did get some venison sausage while we were in Prague last time.  It was pretty good.  Problem lies in sometimes they cut pork fat in and sometimes they use pork intestine casings. 

 

Not Muslim but it is a religious preference not to eat pork (or seafood).   I make my own turkey sausage and beef bacon so I get some good stuff 🙂 .  Going to be hard traveling through Europe and avoiding pork. 
 

[Canal archive]

Maybe look out for food that is Kosher which is available across Europe.

[CPT Trips]

Halal is usually also available. 

[Rebel54]

On 1/30/2023 at 2:57 AM, Canal archive said:

Maybe look out for food that is Kosher which is available across Europe.

Great suggestion.  Not used to this new way of eating.   I wonder if the ship has any options that are Kosher or Halal.....worth asking I think.

 

[Rebel54]

On 1/30/2023 at 4:57 PM, CPT Trips said:

Halal is usually also available. 

Also a great idea.  I'll get used to this new way of eating one day.

[CPT Trips]

If your diet requires no pork for non-religious reasons. You should be OK on the ship by just informing the hotel manager. They will pass the information along to chef and dining room manager. 
My hunch is that if a ship will meet kosher/halal meal requirements, it will be with meals akin to TV dinners and plastic utensils. 

[Canal archive]

Maybe not quite so strict when it comes to presentation if for non religious reasons. 

[Canal archive]

I completely agree with CPT note if asked on your reservation ‘no pork’ and discuss with the restaurant manager as soon after you board as possible. They are used to shall we say our many dietary  challenges you’ll maybe get a visit from the ships chef himself. Enjoy whichever cruise you choose, let us know.

 

ohhh looks like you’ve got some nasty weather in Texas keep safe!

Edited February 1, 2023 by Canal archive

[notamermaid]

Ah, yes, forgot, you can always stipulate what your dietary requirements are when booking.

 

I asked at my local butchers yesterday about beef sausages and their casing. She said it depends, on beef the casing is lamb but this will depend on their supplier. It could be pork.

 

Halal signs are on doors of those Döner places very often. A good thing to look out for.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[Rebel54]

10 hours ago, CPT Trips said:

If your diet requires no pork for non-religious reasons. You should be OK on the ship by just informing the hotel manager. They will pass the information along to chef and dining room manager. 
My hunch is that if a ship will meet kosher/halal meal requirements, it will be with meals akin to TV dinners and plastic utensils. 

Good morning.  I do not eat pork or seafood for religious reasons, but I am neither Jewish or Muslim.  We follow both the Old and New Testament in our faith (keeping the Saturday sabbath and not eating unclean foods).  There are several religions that follow this belief that are not Muslim or Jewish.  If you are curious you can search Messianic Judaism. 

I am pretty sure I can dine on board without any issues.   I really want to be able to enjoy some brats while there .... just don't want to break with my beliefs. 

[Rebel54]

2 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Ah, yes, forgot, you can always stipulate what your dietary requirements are when booking.

 

I asked at my local butchers yesterday about beef sausages and their casing. She said it depends, on beef the casing is lamb but this will depend on their supplier. It could be pork.

 

Halal signs are on doors of those Döner places very often. A good thing to look out for.

 

notamermaid

 

 

Thank you.  My German is not so great so I will have to learn some specific phrases before I go.  It's very hard to find sausage in the US in a regular store that is not encased in pork.  I have found places that I can order from so when I'm craving some saurkraut and brats...I'm covered. 

 

[notamermaid]

18 minutes ago, Rebel54 said:

There are several religions that follow this belief that are not Muslim or Jewish.  If you are curious you can search Messianic Judaism. 

Very interesting. I was wondering why it is specifically pork and shellfish.

 

German words: kein Schweinefleisch (no pork), kein Schweinedarm (no pork intestine (or casing)), etc.

 

notamermaid

 

[CPT Trips]

@Rebel54 My apologies. I made an incorrect assumption earlier. 
 

Having seen sausage being made, I understand your concern. Here’s hoping you find your brats. 😄

[CPT Trips]

3 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Very interesting. I was wondering why it is specifically pork and shellfish.

 

German words: kein Schweinefleisch (no pork), kein Schweinedarm (no pork intestine (or casing)), etc.

 

notamermaid

 

Are beef or lamb sausages generally available?

[notamermaid]

1 hour ago, CPT Trips said:

Are beef or lamb sausages generally available?

Beef yes, that is standard, lamb not so much. Lamb as meat is not eaten that often by many people (but I do regularly), so sausages are not eaten that often either but for shopping should be available in specialist butchers or on a sheep farm. Note that lamb is more expensive than pork and much of beef. Supermarkets tend to have just a few cuts from Irish or New Zealand animals. Best place indeed is an eatery/butchers connected with Muslim communities if you are in a big town. You can get horse by the way, though not exactly standard either.

 

Talking of lamb, here is one place I have been to during a harvest festival, a sheep farm. They have recipes with lamb online (German only) and sell lamb sausages in the shop. This is not far from Koblenz: https://www.hof-meerheck.de/rezeptideen/

 

Not wanting to go too deep into this but perhaps you are interested in the out of town farms. Here is a big map: https://www.mein-bauernhof.de/kategorie/fleisch/lamm/

 

I was just thinking, perhaps it is possible to have lamb sausages bought in by the crew for the German barbecue dinners on board river cruise ships. If they know well in advance I am sure they are happy to offer that.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[Rebel54]

5 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Very interesting. I was wondering why it is specifically pork and shellfish.

 

German words: kein Schweinefleisch (no pork), kein Schweinedarm (no pork intestine (or casing)), etc.

 

notamermaid

 

If you have access to a Bible...Leviticus 1 talks about what is clean and unclean food.  There are some other things that I don't eat but pork and shellfish are the two main things.  Also, many people know the story of Noah's Ark (two of every animal) but if you read the whole story it was 2 of every animal AND 7 of those that were deemed clean and acceptable to eat. 

[Rebel54]

5 hours ago, CPT Trips said:

@Rebel54 My apologies. I made an incorrect assumption earlier. 
 

Having seen sausage being made, I understand your concern. Here’s hoping you find your brats. 😄

No need to apologize.  I've also seen what goes into sausage so I tend to keep to home made or Halal sausage that I can order and have delivered.

[Canal archive]

It may also be worth investigating meat substitute.

 

Interesting conundrum.

 

A Jewish friend of mine although not an Orthodox Jew still had two kitchens, something to do with dairy products.

 

I hope it all works out for you.

Edited February 1, 2023 by Canal archive

[Rebel54]

3 hours ago, Canal archive said:

It may also be worth investigating meat substitute.

 

Interesting conundrum.

 

A Jewish friend of mine although not an Orthodox Jew still had two kitchens, something to do with dairy products.

 

I hope it all works out for you.

I've tried some substitute meats but not a huge fan.  I will just do my best to avoid what is considered unclean.  When eating out one can only do so much.  I usually manage ok in the US but I don't have the language barrier.  You have been awesome :).  I really appreciate yours and all the other suggestions.

 

[Canal archive]

Thank you so much, it’s much nicer and better for one’s ego to try your best to be a help not a hindrance in this life. My grandson (all of 11years old) tells me that there must be an app somewhere that could be useful, don’t knock it his IQ has just been rated - frightening!

[Rebel54]

On 2/2/2023 at 2:31 AM, Canal archive said:

Thank you so much, it’s much nicer and better for one’s ego to try your best to be a help not a hindrance in this life. My grandson (all of 11years old) tells me that there must be an app somewhere that could be useful, don’t knock it his IQ has just been rated - frightening!

Hahahaha....why didn't I think of that....there's an app for everything.  🙂  My 2 year old grandson can almost work his mom's iPhone better than she can!

This way of eating is pretty new to me so I need to learn to think outside the box.  Shortly after we entered this journey I was doing a craft fair with my best girlfriend.  She went to grab us something to eat and brought back hotdogs....before I thought about it I had eaten half.  Pretty sure they weren't beef.  It's a process.  Having lived in Germany for three years I remember some of the amazing pork meals...but I just have to enjoy all the other amazing food that I can have.

Everyone here has been very helpful in all my cruise planning.  I love coming here and having this interaction.  I might not be the only person that worries about certain foods but they don't want to ask so I hope this helps someone else.

[molymoo]

On 1/31/2023 at 9:15 PM, CPT Trips said:

If your diet requires no pork for non-religious reasons. You should be OK on the ship by just informing the hotel manager. They will pass the information along to chef and dining room manager. 
My hunch is that if a ship will meet kosher/halal meal requirements, it will be with meals akin to TV dinners and plastic utensils. 

 

Why would you assume that?  By all accounts Viking is VERY accommodating with special diets for WHATEVER reason.  

 

[CPT Trips]

3 hours ago, molymoo said:

 

Why would you assume that?  By all accounts Viking is VERY accommodating with special diets for WHATEVER reason.  

 

I assume that because it’s unlikely that Viking has a Kosher kitchen.
On another line, a few of the travelers kept Kosher and their meals were prepared off the ship by a Kosher vendor and served in disposables.