Cheese, please!

If you like cheese, then Switzerland is a good place to be.  There are a few Swiss specialties that we've found here so far, and cheese (and a lot of it) is often featured.  Cheese fondue, for instance, is very popular -- a big pot of cheese on your table for dipping bread or fruit, such as pears.  I have recently discovered raclette as well.  Raclette refers to a type of cheese, but also a dish.  The cheese is very good for melting, and a plate of it is served for dipping small boiled potatoes, and pickled vegetables like onions.  This past week, I made it at home, as pictured.

I've heard that this is just an alternative way to eat a baked potato -- dipping it in cheese, rather than sprinkling on top.  I think the pickles and onions are a good addition and quite tasty with the cheese.  

Potatoes are also a common denominator here.  Rosti is a local specialty in which potatoes are shredded very fine, and then cooked in a frying pan.  (Hash browns come to mind.)  There are variations on the theme, with cheese or meat added as well.  

And speaking of meat, salami and sausages are everywhere.  The term "sausages" seems to be a general one, referring to the general category that includes bratwurst and traditional sausage.  I've been hearing a lot about sausages lately because we have been hiking, and the thing to do while hiking is... grill sausages.  A good hiking spot will have fire pits along the way where you can take a break, put a sausage on a stick and grill it.  We haven't tried this yet, but after a 4-hour hike yesterday with no sausages, I'm craving this now.  A sidenote -- a Swiss army knife comes in handy for whittling sticks in preparation for sausages.

I've noticed that the autumn season has brought chestnuts.  The smell of roasted chestnuts is prevalent while walking through the city.  Chestnut trees line parks and walking trails, so you'll also see them on the ground.  On my list of things to try is chestnut vermicelli -- a dessert that is essentially chestnut pasta with whipped cream on top.  Sounds yummy. 

A chestnut collection

I have to say that my experience with local food has been somewhat limited because I haven't been out to eat very much aside from pizzerias, McDonald's and bakeries (still working on finding a local babysitter).  Bakeries are magical places, and one of our favorite treats so far is the chocolate bread -- bread with large chunks of chocolate baked inside.  Foods that have been difficult to find in the grocery store seem to be baking goods like brown sugar, real vanilla extract and baking soda.  The only baking soda that I've been able to find has been in packets by the teaspoonful.  I'll have to make sure that Bob brings back a box of Arm & Hammer on the next business trip. 

Guten appetit!