Local flavour:Fall celebration

Tsawwassen Rotarians Christian Rode and Neil Corbett are ready to celebrate Oktoberfest with a beverage and hearty casserole of German sausage and sauerkraut. That, plus much more will be part of the Rotary Club's inaugural Oktoberfest event at the South Delta Recreation Centre.

Philip Raphael photo

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It's time to get your lederhosen on, raise a beer stein or two and celebrate the season.

Oh, and also enjoy some great food at the upcoming inaugural Oktoberfest event Sept. 29 at the South Delta Recreation Centre.

The event is being hosted by the Tsawwassen Rotary Club. Organizer Christian Rode floated the idea at the group's last Christmas party and it was met with great support. And before he knew it Rode was put in charge of getting the show on the road.

And what a show it promises to be.

At its heart is the appearance of Oktoberfest band S-BAHN who not only will set the mood with music but will stage a yodeling contest.

"I am the former treasurer of the Vancouver Alpen Club and we've done Oktoberfests there successfully for years," Rode said. "And I picked the best band that we've had to come play here."

On the food side, Grimm's Sausages will supply the bratwursts. Plus, Vancouver's Swiss Bakery will have fresh pretzels.

For a taste of what's to come at Oktoberfest, see the recipe below for German sausage and sauerkraut.

Kielbasa, Knackwurst, or Bratwurst can be used for this hearty casserole recipe that's perfect for a cold winter night.

"Oktoberfest well and truly starts in the middle of September in Germany and runs until the middle of October," Rode says.

Tickets are $30 per person and includes a take home, plastic beer stein, and your first beverage.

A by-donation shuttle service will ensure there are safe rides home.

"It's going to be fantastic. And we hope to build on it year after year," Rode said. "I'd like to see this as an event over a couple of days, and see something during the day to include families, as well."

Money raised will be used to provide lighting at Rotary Waterworks Park in Tsawwassen. More details are available at www.deltaoktoberfest.com.

German sausage and sauerkraut

Ingredients

1 red onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp. white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. caraway seeds

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 lb. smoked fully cooked German sausage, sliced

16 oz. jar sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place all ingredients except sauerkraut in a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray or oil and mix gently. Cover with rinsed and drained sauerkraut.

Cover the dish and bake at 350 degrees until heated through and bubbly, about 35 to 40 minutes.

Serves 4 – 6.

Warm potato salad with bacon accompanies this nicely. Serve with a German bread such as pumpernickel, sour pickles, a variety of sweet and spicy mustards, and, of course, a German beer like Bitburger that will be featured at Delta Oktoberfest.