It's sauerkraut season: tickets on sale for Gertrude's annual Krautfest

are Friday, Jan. 13 and Saturday, Jan. 14. The event features dancing to the traditional and contemporary polka music by Joy of Maryland and a buffet dinner. A cash bar will offer "Krautinis," seasonal German and Eastern European beers and specialty vodkas.

The buffet menu comprises roasted beef borscht with sauerkraut, sour beef brisket, pork goulash, kraut-brasied red potatoes and carrots, peirogies and a charcuterie platter with Ostowski's kielbasa and Binkert's Bavarian bratwurst, knackwurst and weisswurst.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at

or by calling 410-889-3399.

Coming up next weekend, the

up in Hanover, Pa., will host its 6th annual

. Executive Chef Andrew Little will be showing how to put his "new Pennyslyania Dutch" spin on winter favorites. Participants will learn how to prepare five new savory recipes and one decadent dessert, including polenta with fresh corn, beet and orange salad and sauerkraut balls.

Sauerkraut balls!