

Autumn | Valle Isarco | Indulgence
Hot chestnuts, juicy grapes, and exciting stories
A family “Törggelen” feast in South Tyrol
In rustic South Tyrolean parlours, “Törggelen” is a time for cooking, laughing, chatting, and enjoying – across generations.
The traditional tiled stove is lovely and toasty (because autumn can be a bit chilly here in the mountains) and the fragrance of sauerkraut, Krapfen pastries, and chestnuts fills the warm air. The extended family sits together, hungry and full of excited anticipation. Aunties and uncles are there, the favourite cousin, and Mum’s best friend. Everyone’s looking forward to a delicious “Törggelen” menu.
But “Törggelen” is about much more than just good food. It means sitting together at the table and chatting, trying new things, and sharing ideas. That’s what Törggelen was originally about, when young wine was tasted and the harvest celebrated, and that’s what it should still be today: an experience for the whole family – and groups of friends, too. We serve what nature gives us: homemade Knödel dumplings, sauerkraut, Surfleisch salt meat, various sausages, smoked Speck bacon, the popular Erdäpfel-Blattlen potato pastries – and fresh sweet pastries. There’s wine for the adults and apple juice for the children.
After the hearty meal, there’s still plenty of room for the highlight: chestnuts, called “Keschtn” in South Tyrol. They’re traditionally roasted over the stove and served hot. Mum and dad peel them carefully and the kids gobble them up. Some people dip them in a glass of milk first to make them juicier!
After the meal, the hosts tell exciting facts about the harvest, the farm, and how they spend their days. The children are amazed at all the work that has to be done here, how early the farmer has to get up, and how much work goes into taking care of the animals. Can they help for a few hours the next day? Of course! The kids are excited about the adventure that awaits them.
Then it’s time for them to hop into bed, full and happy. Anyone who has ever experienced Törggelen has seen and tasted South Tyrol at its most authentic. When will you try it?
The Pabst family
Family Home Alpenhof ****