FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A friend recalls moving to the German section of St. Louis as a child and watching the children line up during recess to buy large, hot pretzels, probably dipped in mustard, from a street cart. Until she tried one herself, she envied them their long-lasting snack. When she tried one, she was unimpressed, but has since found a butter-flavored variety quite irresistible.

German children had other connections to the pretzel, too. They tied pretzels on a string around their necks at the beginning of a new year for prosperity, health and good fortune. An embarrassing story recalls to my mind that some people still use pretzels as decoration. In my first year back at work after raising our three children and helping to raise a few grandchildren, I was often teased by my lovable nun-boss for my single-minded ability to immerse myself in the big issues in my job, leaving minor details with scant attention. One day Sister called me into her office and asked me to do a certain chore. When she finally let me leave the room, her booming voice quickly called me back.

She asked if I noticed anything different about her. I didn’t, until she turned her head quickly from side-to-side. Only then did I see the huge pretzels, decorated with glitter and hung by bright red ribbons from Sister Jeanette’s ears! She teased me forever afterward for not noticing her holiday attire!

In modern times, pretzels find their way into salads, hors-d'ouvres and to accompany soups, dips and fruit. Obviously craftspeople, those with creative ways in the kitchen, and teachers trying to illustrate some religious point to their students still look to the pretzel for a rich resource. With beer or without, this mighty snack has won devoted followers from ballgames to classrooms.