A typical winter dish from Northern Germany, Gruenkohl und Pinkel consists of finely chopped kale that is cooked with lard and onions, accompanied by smoked sausages made from pork meat and grits, called Pinkel. The dish is commonly served with either boiled or fried potatoes.

A hearty, nourishing dish like Gruenkohl und Pinkel is commonly accompanied by local beer or wine. Traditionally, Germans celebrate winter with a Gruenkohlfahrt, a long walk to a country inn or a restaurant of their choice, where they eat a dinner of stewed kale and sausages.