Some people argue that there is nothing called, Swiss food because what is regarded as the popular Swiss foods generally originate from regional foods and specialities found all over the 26 cantons of Switzerland. You will come across plenty of popular Swiss foods with heavy German, French, and North Italian influences, with mouth-watering bases of potatoes, Swiss cheese or Swiss ingredients that were easily available to the first Alpine farmers. You will never be hungry when in Switzerland. Some of the popular Swiss foods that you must try at your home:
Cheese Fondue
It is a great meal to enjoy with your friends and perhaps one of the most iconic food items that people associate with Switzerland. This popular dish is made of melted cheese and various other ingredients, like white wine, garlic, cornflour, and cherry brandy. Once prepared, it is served in a unique ceramic pot known as a caquelon, with a small burner below it to keep the dish at a constant temperature. You need to cut small pieces of bread and with the help of a fork dip them into this hot cheese. The term, “Fondue” refers to those dishes in which food is dipped into a pot that contains hot liquid, like for example, chocolate fondue and fondue bourguignonne.
Rösti
Rosti is a potato dish made by frying or baking round shaped patties made of finely grated raw or semi-cooked potato. It is crisp outside and melting inside. Sometimes cheese, onion, bacon and also apple can be added to the mixture. It is consumed as a side dish with fried eggs, spinach or sausage meat. Originally, it was eaten during breakfast by the Bern Farmers but nowadays along with Switzerland, people from all over the world enjoy it.
Bircherműesli
You must have eaten muesli for breakfast, but may not have been aware of the fact that it was discovered by Dr Maximilian Bircher-Benner in 1900. Believing that a diet made of fruits, vegetables, and cereals was good for human beings than a heavy meat diet, he discovered this dish, which is a mix of rolled oat flakes, lemon juice, nuts, fruits, and condensed milk. This dish was served to the patients in his Zurich sanatorium. Till date, it is eaten by people of Switzerland, and not only for breakfast but sometimes during the evening also.
Raclette
Raclette, made of cow’s milk is the name of Swiss cheese and regarded as one of the most popular meals in Switzerland. During the old days, a whole wheel of cheese was held up near to the fire and as the cheese got melted, it was cut off and eaten. The name is derived from French racler, which signifies “to scrape”. Nowadays, the slices of raclette are melted using table-top raclette grills or pans and are eaten with small potatoes, charcuterie, veggies, onions, bread, and pickled gherkins. With modern raclette grill, you melt the cheese on a single grill layer and can spread it over grilled meats and veggies.
Bűndnernusstorte
Bűndnernusstorte, sometimes also known as an engadinernusstorte, is a tasty caramelized nut-filled pastry originating from the canton of Graubunden. It is prepared in small private bakeries, each of which has different variation. Enjoy this as a delicious dessert along with coffee or tea.