If there are two things that Switzerland is famous for, it is its skiing and its delicious food. Whether Swiss cuisine makes you think of creamy chocolate or freshly-baked breads, these famous foods are just the tip of a taste iceberg.
Here are our four favourite exquisite Swiss dishes you should go out of your way to sample whilst on a ski holiday in Verbier or Le Châble.
We all love cheese fondue, but Swiss raclette is a hundred times better. Raclette is a type of Swiss cheese made from cow’s milk, that tastes somewhat similar to gruyére, and also the name of a popular dish. Traditionally, an entire wheel of cheese was placed in front of a fireplace and parts scraped off to be eaten as it melted. Today, slices of raclette are melted in a grill or pan, and scraped off onto potatoes, vegetable, pickles and bread. It’s a true family favourite, and a tasty communal meal for all.
Potato pancakes get an upgrade with Swiss Rösti. Flat, round patties of coarsely grated potato are seasoned and fried, the result being a crispy outside and a delicious buttery centre that melts in the mouth. Often extra ingredients are added to create a variety of flavours, such as bacon, onion, cheese and even apple. Originally this was a breakfast dish for Bern farmers, and today this amazing food can be eaten as a side or main at any time of the day and is considered a national dish.
Did you know that one of the world’s favourite breakfasts, muesli, was created in Switzerland? In the early 1900s, Dr Maximilian Bircher-Benner created this wholesome meal due to his research that suggested a diet of fibrous cereals, fruits and vegetables was better for human health than one which relied heavily on protein. So, he made Bircherműesli, which combined rolled oat flakes, fruits, nuts, condensed milk and lemon juice for his patients to speed up their recoveries. This staple of a healthy breakfast was born in, and is best in, Switzerland, so be sure to try it out during your stay!
Zopf is a highly popular incredible bread made in Switzerland. It is a soft white loaf that is distinctive in taste and design – its plaiting and light golden crust originated from an ancient Swiss tradition where widows would cut off their hair braids and bury them with their husbands and bake this loaf. The secret ingredient is egg, as the dough consists of white flour, milk, butter, yeast and eggs, which is then braided and brushed with egg yolk to be baked. Conventionally eaten on Sunday mornings but amazing at any time, this bread is a true treat for the senses.
So, if you’re planning a ski holiday in Switzerland, you should certainly treat your tastebuds to these amazing traditional foods. Luckily, our luxury chalets in Verbier and Le Chable feature their very own private chefs, who are experts in both international and Swiss cuisine.
Staying with us, you can indulge yourself in local and traditional dishes from raclette to zopf and more, cooked by hand right before your eyes in your beautiful kitchen. The ultimate taste experience is at your fingertips – contact us today to find out more about our specialist catering options.
