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Yes, you must already know that Switzerland is a land of stunning beauty. But not only that, the mountainous European country is also a treasure trove for food lovers, especially those with big appetites. With cheese and chocolate playing a prominent role in the Swiss culinary identity, the gastronomic scene of Switzerland is full of surprises for food lovers. Here are the top five foods to try when in Switzerland.
Fondue
Although Fondue may appear cliche, it is inseparably woven into the culture of Switzerland. As a matter of fact, Swiss mountain inhabitants have relied on fondue&ndashessentially bread and cheese&ndashfor hundreds of years. Dip stale bread into bubbling cheese with plenty of wine and garlic. For a memorable winter lunch, try it with white wine, followed by schnapps or tea.
Try at Fribourger Fondue-Stübli, Rotwandstrasse 38, 8004 Zürich
Papet Vaudois
The best way to describe Papet Vaudois is as a cooked leek and potato mash. The outcome is distinct to Vaud's canton (district), a dish with an earthy, onion-tinged flavour. With a long history in the canton, Papet Vaudois has become a dish that best represents the area.
Try at Pinte Besson, Rue de l'Ale 4, 1003 Lausanne
Rosti Valaisanne
One of the famous national cuisines of Switzerland is Rosti, which is made with thinly shredded potatoes that are pan-fried till crisp and golden. Although no one is certain of the exact date when the first Rosti was prepared, farmers in the canton of Bern regularly consume it for breakfast. Enjoy a Rosti Valaisanne from the canton of Valais, a deliciously irresistible mash-up of rosti topped with salty bacon, a fried egg, and melted raclette cheese, sprinkled with sour gherkins and pickled onions.
Try at Wirtshaus Taube Luzern, Burgerstrasse 3, 6003 Luzern
Basel-Style Roasted Flour Soup
This dish may be prepared in various ways, but at its most basic level, it consists of flour, butter, onion, and beef stock, with a grating of Gruyere on top. According to legend, the soup was made when a busy chef left flour simmering in a saucepan until it was unintentionally browned. Instead of discarding the dish, it was made into a meal that has stood the test of time. It is a must-have at Basel Carnival (February 27&ndashMarch 1 2023), formally launched with a serving of this soup at 3 am.
Raclette
In the cooler months, most hillside hangouts in Switzerland will welcome you with the smell of smoky melting raclette cheese. It is a regional cheese from the canton of Valais cooked gently over a fire and sliced off layer by melting layer to cover boiled potatoes, pickles, and onions. Modern raclette grills are widespread in Swiss homes, where people assemble to cook for hours while sipping large amounts of Fendant wine.
Try at Whymper-Stube, Bahnhofstrasse 80, 3920 Zermatt
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