spaetzle

American  

[shpet-sluh, -suhl, -slee] / ˈʃpɛt slə, -səl, -sli /

noun

1. a dish consisting of lumps or threads made from a batter of flour, milk, eggs, and salt, usually poured through a coarse colander into boiling water, and then either drained and mixed in butter, lightly pan-fried, or added to sauces, stews, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of spaetzle

< German (dial.) Spätzle, diminutive of Spatz dumpling, sparrow, Middle High German, derivative of spar sparrow

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spaetzle

Hans’ stocks German honey and marmalade, with some French preserves ecumenically included, above shelves of mixes for potato dumplings, rösti, spaetzle.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

There was wilted cabbage, still fragrant with the smoke of Rolo’s wood grill, and melting duck confit accompanied by mustard spaetzle.

From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2022

In this slight riff on my Oma's spaetzle, I've added mixed soft herbs, which add interest and color without overpowering the eggy essence of these scruffy homemade noodles.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2021

Cook the spaetzle for 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the top.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2021

If you prefer you may put the spaetzle right into the spider in which you have heated the butter.

From The International Jewish Cook Book 1600 Recipes According to the Jewish Dietary Laws with the Rules for Kashering; the Favorite Recipes of America, Austria, Germany, Russia, France, Poland, Roumania, Etc., Etc. by Greenbaum, Florence Kreisler