Just so you guys know I wasn't making it up... here are some links to back it up... (unfortunately, I did have the spelling wrong earlier... my bad ... and yes, the mispelled version is a German word for what it sounds like)  Oh, and I was wrong as to the time of year... it occurs in November after the first heavy frost actually right around the time of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. (hey, give me a paper cut and pour lemon juice on it why don't ya... it was 20 years ago and when it gets to be cold in that area, it is like cold for nealry 6 - 7 months of the year so except for the snow it all kind of mixes together in yer memories!)

http://www.armin-grewe.com/holiday/kohlfahrt/kohlfahrt.htm

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BCnkohlessen

http://www.germandeli.com/reforgrmitpi.html

http://www.germanfoods.org/consumer/HanseaticCities.cfm

Mmmmm... the pictures and recipes are bringing back memories... I spent time in each of those Hanseatic Cities... Hamburg and Bremen area for at least 8 months each, and Lubeck a couple times on splits.  I love the food!