It is almost Oudejaarsavond (New Year’s Eve). Around this time of year, it is tradition in the Netherlands to eat a special Dutch treat called “oliebollen” (fried dough balls). Oliebollen, literally translated as grease balls, are deep fried dough balls, studded with raisins and currants, and sweetened with a generous dusting of icing sugar.
The Dutch get their oliebollen at one of the many oliebollenkramen, special stalls that pop up on various street corners during this time of year where they sell a variety of traditional, seasonal fried foods. Want to try an oliebol but no time to visit the Netherlands? Good news! Because it is also very easy to make them yourself! For the recipe, see: