Mister and I are taking a day --- getting out and re-centering before the next push. Our first stop is at Vector, where there is a Small Business Saturday market. Let's peek in.
I don't really find anything I wish to purchase, BUT --- this stand stops me in my tracks and I have to watch the process from start to finish. The company is Texas Chimney Cakes and they make a Kurtoskalac, a festive pastry from Transylvania. Originally this crusty delicacy was served only on very special occasions: weddings, baptisms or to honor important guests and spread joy. At that time, the yeast dough was wrapped in a finger-thick strip on a wooden roll then turned over by hand over a fire or glow spot. They were always made with love and pride. Lori and Dusty Brezovsky have opened this business and are hoping to be large enough for the state fair next year. This is their inaugural soft opening.
A little more information - While Kurtoskalacs has its own distinct characteristics, it is closely related to other pastries in certain regions. The Transylvanian Saxon Baumstriezel, for example, shares a cyclindrical shape rather than a helix (as seen above in the pastry in the back). Skalicky Trdelnik from Slovakia (formerly Upper Hungary) and Trdelnice/Trdelnik from the Czech-Moravian region also resemble them, but they differ in the absence of a caramel sugar glaze on their surface. Size wise, the Trdelnik is smaller than the ones shown. Others are Lithuanian Spit Cakes, German Baunkuchen or Awkushen or Spiesskuchen. There is also Australian Prugeltorte, Swedish Spettekaka, Caech Trdlo, and French Ragoulis/sakotis/sekacs/gateau-a-la-broche. Way more than you wanted to know, I'm sure, but shocking how they really haven't made an appearance here yet.
Now, from start to finish. Roll out the dough.
Make a very long length of it.
Roll it up onto a cone or cylinder of some sort.
Smooth it out to fill in any gaps.
This is their only source of heat today, but they've shared what is in store and it'll be cool.
Once the dough sets for 15 minutes, it's time to sprinkle with sugar and then cook. This is done by holding the cone over the heat and slowly turning it. Then fill with whatever your heart desires. Pretty cool, right?
Next is some food and a stop inside for a pizza.
We follow that up with a quick trip up to Grapevine to pick up Jens and my ornaments. I have a few more pics from Main Street.
Even Good Year gets into the spirit of things.
Noticing the unicorn on the top of the building sends me into research to figure it out. Turns out t is a tri all who work and volunteer in Grapevines Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The symbol of the unicorn was selected during the design phase of the Visitors Bureau, a unique historical replication of 19th century facades depicting Grapevine's history. Across many cultures, the unicorn represents imagination flying free and that you dreams can come true on the wings of the unicorn. Grapevine is a destination where dreams come true. "Imagine" - a winged unicorn, symbolizes action, dreams and wishes that can come true. What makes humans move about the world in a quest to experience unique destination and meet new people? Something magical and spiritual draws people together.
Peeking down the street further and my finished ornament. That's it for today. Stay tuned, ya just never know where we'll turn up.
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