Anyone who ever visited the Netherlands in November or December will undoubtedly have seen the large amount of street vendors selling oliebollen. These balls of deep-fried dough are filled with raisins or chocolate and covered in powdered sugar.
The oliebol is a traditional Dutch New Year’s treat. Though the name’s literal translation, “oil ball,” might not sound particularly alluring or festive, they make ideal crispy, satisfying sweets in the colder months. The oliebol, and the art of making it, are taken quite seriously and can occasionally spark friendly competition: Since 1993, the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad has held the Oliebollentest, an annual contest where editors comb the country looking for the year’s best oliebollen baker. The winner gets bragging rights, and a steady stream of customers.
Where to Try It
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Dam Square
Dam Square, Amsterdam, 1012 NP, NetherlandsEvery winter, trucks line up to serve these hot and greasy doughnuts. Make sure you eat them right where you stand. They harden and lose their charm quickly. But eaten at the right moment, they are unstoppable.
Written By
CoolCrab
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