I have decided I’m going to try going completely sugar free for January, to reset my taste buds and get sugar out of my system. I think cold turkey is the way to go. Full disclosure: I am eat a LOT of sugar right now. My weakness? Kürtős Kalács (or Chimney Cake). This delicious cake originated in Transylvania (in present day Romania) and is very popular in Hungary.
They have them in Budapest at public transit stops and the Christmas Fair, so there have been plenty of opportunities to gorge on hot, sweet, fresh from the coals goodness.
Handy Hubby can’t pronounce it, so he calls it a “steaming tube of goodness”. He is so passionate about it, he just asked me if I want to grab people wandering around with their steaming tube and shake them, yelling “eat it now while it’s hot, don’t waste the goodness!”. Yup, he likes ’em.
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| At the Christmas Fair |
To make the real deal, you need some equipment (a wooden cylinder and open fire/hot coals), but I found a super simple version of the recipe so you don’t have to light a fire or travel anywhere to get addicted. You can see the full recipe with instructions here, on the Pencil Kitchen, contributed by Diana (the cheekiest monkey of all), who happens to be a Budapest Blogger! Yum (although I recommend paper towel rolls trimmed to size, because toilet paper rolls give me the heebie jeebies).
OMG…those look gooooooooooood.
Haha, they ARE. And if you time it right, ordering one before it's made, you get it piping hot. Cinnamon is Hubby's favorite and it's quickly becoming mine too. I think I read about vendors in New York City too. Reason enough to go!
I'm also going off of refined sugar for a month or two. And dairy. I have no idea how I'm going to deal with the cheese withdrawal yet.I think I may have to give this recipe a try before January!
DO IT. Do it NOW. Haha. Oh boy, no cheese OR sugar? Nope, can't do it. Sugar should be okay – I actually feel better when I don't eat it so I am pretending it will be easy. Dairy is just too yummy. But good luck!! You're stronger than me. You can do it! Just make these first.
wow looks absolutely delicious!!!Good luck with your cold turkey sugar stoppage.Once you get back home I would think it would be a lot easier and less temptation of those super awesome treats in Budapest Amy
Indeed! Canadian cake and bread looks pitiful to what we have here. I am banking on snobby Hungarian I have become to help with the temptation, lol.
well i thought i have had enough sweets after this week but…..yum
Never enough sweets.
omg I love these. I am originally from Transylvania which used to be part of Hungary so we definitely don't miss a chance to indulge in Kurtos. Oh how I miss them!!!We need to find a way of getting them here in Canada , Tanya !! xo
How did I not know this about you? I don't pay enough attention. We could be relatives! I have heard of vendors selling these in the States. I even accidentally found a website selling the supplies and recipes. Shall we open a food cart near a Canadian beach or fair???
Hello Everyone!This is my first comment on Your blog, altough i've been a reader for a long time now, but i wanted to give another tip to make Kürtös kalács at home.Instead of toilet paper + aluminium foil combo you can use beer cans. Much easier 😉
Hi! So great to hear from you :)Fabulously clever tip! The toilet paper rolls made me a little nervous (bathroom bacteria!), but the best replacement I thought of was paper towels rolls. Thanks so much for the idea!!