Whenever you picture Switzerland, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? We bet it’s the Swiss Alps and the Swiss cheese! A country full of cinematic views and cheerful people, Switzerland features on the top in everyone’s bucket list. But have you ever wondered what’s brewing inside the kitchen of a Swiss lad or lass every morning? Before we get into this, it’s important to understand a little about what Swiss cuisine is and how it’s influenced by its neighbouring states.
Did you know that Switzerland was primarily an agricultural country? Being bordered by Italy on the south, France on the west and Germany towards the North, the Swiss cuisine became heavily influenced by the Italian, French and German cuisines. The two things that come to mind when anyone talks about Swiss cuisine is Swiss chocolate and Swiss cheese, both of which remain the most popular items to date.
The delicious Swiss chocolates were first produced in the 18th century. Did you know that the Swiss remain the largest consumers of chocolates in the world? Much like how Indians are the largest consumers and producers of mango in the world. While Swiss chocolate is a strict not-to-miss item on the list, so is Swiss cheese. The iconic Swiss cheese that has holes in it, and is depicted so in various cartoons and comics, has steadily become the favourite of many foodies around the globe. Interestingly, more than 700 varieties of cheese are produced in Switzerland and Swiss cheese is said to be one of the healthiest cheeses to eat.
However, it’ll interest you to know that within Switzerland there are a plethora of regional and traditional cuisines from one area to the other. So, what is the average Swiss plate loaded with? Here’s a top down of a few Swiss delicacies that you must try out on your next Euro trip.
Raclette
Both the name of a cheese and a dish, Raclette is a favourite for many. A relatively simple traditional dish to make, Raclette is made with melted cheese served with potatoes, pickles, and cured meats like ham and salami. The cheese is melted and scraped before being served. In restaurants, a big machine does this task. However, at home, you can try making Raclette in an iron skillet.
This dish was once commonly eaten by the farmers of Switzerland but is today eaten all around the world. Some Swiss people consider Rosti to be their national dish. To make this dish, one needs to sauté or shallow fry coarse grated potatoes. The potatoes can be fried in butter, oil or cheese. According to the region one lives in, within Switzerland, additional ingredients in a Rosti include cheese, apple, onion, bacon or herbs. The Rosti is served as a side dish in many Swiss restaurants.
A cheese fondue is the most common and popular Swiss delicacy that is widely eaten all over the country. The fondue is a pot full of melted cheese kept over a portable stove, onto which bread is dipped using a long-stemmed fork. Cheese fondue consists of a blend of wine, cheeses and various seasonings. The temperature of the fondue must be maintained such that the cheese is smooth and liquid, yet not so hot that it burns.
Älplermagronen
This dish is simply put, the Swiss version of Mac and Cheese with potatoes. It’s served with a side of applesauce and is topped with crispy bacon and caramelised onions. This dish is a comfort food of many Swiss people on a cold winter night.
