Sourdough Discard Pretzels (Romanian Covrigi)

There’s something unmistakably comforting about the smell of freshly baked covrigi drifting through the streets of Romania in the early morning. Golden, glossy, and perfectly chewy, these beloved pretzels are a daily ritual — grabbed warm from corner bakeries, sprinkled generously with salt, poppy seeds, or sesame. This sourdough discard version brings that same rustic charm to your kitchen, transforming leftover starter into beautifully tender pretzels with a subtle tang and deep, developed flavor. Crisp on the outside, soft and chewy inside, these covrigi are simple, nostalgic, and made to be enjoyed fresh — just like the ones wrapped in paper and eaten on a busy Romanian afternoon.