Netherlands noshes: Experiencing a world of foods at the Tulip Festival

In case you didn't know, poffertjes are slightly larger-than-a-silver-dollar-sized pancakes that are served hot off the grill and topped with plenty of melted rum butter and a dusting of powdered sugar.

"Poffertjes are great and so is bratwurst," the Iowa State Bank vice president said, relaying some of his favorite Dutch treats. "They're definitely my go-to festival foods."

Pennings has been a volunteer with the Tulip Festival for more than 20 years. This year, he's head of the food vendor committee.

"I like working with the (more than 25) vendors because food is such an integral part of the festival," he explained. "People like the tulips and the sights but they also have to eat."

So, what are folks eating a the Tulip Festival? Think haute cuisine straight out of Holland.

Meaty fare like Dutch Saucijsjses (Dutch pigs in a blanket) and flaky foods like the almond Dutch Letter cookies (tender, flaky cookies filled with almond paste that come in the shape of letters) will be available for folks wishing to nosh as if they were in the Netherlands.

"Those are always the thing people associate with Tulip Festival," Pennings said. "Plenty of meaty brats along with a lot of sweet stuff." 

Also available will be meals that have very little in common with Holland. 

For instance, burgers, hot dogs and, even, tacos, may be purchased during the 77th annual Tulip Festival, May 17 - 20.

"Making Dutch foods allow us to preserve the community's heritage," Pennings said. "But we also realize that the community is changing and evolving."

In other words, Orange City isn't quite as Dutch as it used to be.

Pennings said cultural (and food) diversity is definitely a positive.

"Any festival needs to reflect its community," Pennings said. "By expanding the types of food available we'll be keeping our festival relevant."

Plus who doesn't like street food, whether it is of Dutch, American or Mexican origin?

"We'll have plenty of traditional festival food," he said. "It many not be fancy or healthy but it doesn't have to be."

Indeed, Pennings has come up with a theory on why food tastes so good at the Tulip Festival.

"For a lot of people, the Tulip Festival is the first big outdoor festival of the year," he said. "After being cooped up all winter long, we think being able to eat outdoors is a treat."

Pennings said his idea of a perfect Tulip Festival is when the skies are sunny, the temps soar up to the low 70s and there's a great variety of food around.

So, is he going to choose a taco or a burger or, maybe, something Dutch?

"I'll probably try a brat and a few different kinds of Dutch sweets," he said. "I'll pretend that they're healthy and low in calories even though they aren't."

Pennings let out a laugh.

"Perhaps the Tulip Festival is the time where you don't have to worry about calories or cholesterol or anything like that," he said. "You can worry about that stuff later on."