Dutch Delights: Kroket

What: Kroket – a cylinder shaped, deep fried nugget of pure surprise. The outside is crisp and crunchy while the inside is gooey with a texture similar to puréed baby food with the occasional lump or chunk of main ingredient (see varieties) thrown in for good measure.

Why: Originally a French delicacy made from varying meat or vegetable content, the kroket became a way to use up leftover stewed meat in the 1800’s. Krokets began to be mass produced, using beef, after World War II. Gaining in popularity, the kroket soon became a popular fast food item.

Where: If you are in need of a kroket and are in the Netherlands, then you are in luck. They can be found almost anywhere. Supermarkets, restaurants, fast food joints, snack bars and even on the McDonald’s menu.

When: The kroket is available and can be consumed at all times of the day, throughout the year.

Varieties: There is a lot of variety when it comes to kroket fillings. Beef, pork, vegetables, potatoes, shrimp…the list is endless. This endless choice of fillings could be the downfall of the kroket as you often don’t know quite what you are getting and like boterhamworst, there are many urban legends about what really is inside.

How Much [Should I Eat]: I am not a fan of the kroket. My first experience of them involved thinking the filling was potato and happily consuming a few bites only to be confronted with a large chunk of meat. However, they are VERY popular in the Netherlands and I will say that the vegetarian ones can be quite yummy.

Pas Op! (Watch Out!): Make sure you know what you are getting. From the outside most krokets look the same.