Pretzel Power
The first pretzel was purportedly made in 600 A.D. by a monk in Northern Italy. During the Lenten season he was unable to use any milk, fat or eggs. When the monk used flour, water and salt, he came up with “pretzel” dough. He formed the dough into the shape of two arms crossed in prayer. Originally, he named it “pretiola” which is Latin for “Little gift.”