Oliebollen

Whereas most Europeans eat their donuts during Carnival, the Dutch indulge in their treats a few weeks earlier, at New Year’s. According to legend, this is an old Germanic tradition that dates back to the pagan worship of the goddess Perchta, whose feast coincided with Epiphany. More likely it was just a way to indulge in the winter holiday period following Christmas. While it seems likely that the Dutch shared the fried dough tradition of their German neighbors as far back as the Middle Ag