It’s World Cup 2010 Final.  Many people are betting. Spain or Holland? I’m not a football fan, I’m clueless.

Perhaps, let start with something I’m more familiar: food. Almost every culture has food made by deep-frying dough: donut, beignets, youtiao, and in this case, Churros vs. Oliebollen.

Churros is a type of deep-fried choux pastry often served dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon. My churros con chocolate experience in Barcelona almost left me with a sore throat the next day. The chocolate for dunking is soooooo rich that I felt like I finished a bar of melted chocolate. Quite heavy for a summer breakfast but it would be ideal in winter. My advice: enjoy moderately.

During a trip to Rotterdam, I noticed a street vendor selling Oliebollen.  To a non-Dutch speaker like me, it sounds so cool and looks yummy. However, when my Dutch friend told me that Oliebollen literally means “oil balls”, I hesitated. Calories, greasy, it’s not an appetising name after all. Since it’s so popular, okay, I will try one, just one. Oliebollen is essentially a yeasted dough like a doughnut with bits of raisin and apple filling. My verdict: One is just nice.

Paul the Octopus has made his choice. Have you?

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