Raclette: A Culinary Journey Through History

Raclette, a semi-hard cheese from Switzerland, is not just a cheese but also a dish and a social event. The term "raclette" comes from the French word "racler", meaning "to scrape". This blog post will take you on a journey through the history of raclette, its preparation, serving, and variations.

History of Raclette

Raclette has a rich history dating back to medieval times. It was first mentioned in texts from Swiss convents as early as 1291. Originally consumed by peasants in the mountainous Alpine regions of the cantons of Valais and Fribourg in Switzerland, it was known in the German-speaking part of Switzerland as Bratchäs or "roasted cheese".

Traditionally, cow herders carried cheese with them when they were moving cows to or from pastures up in the mountains. In the evening, the cheese would be placed next to a campfire for softening, then scraped onto bread. Since 1875, the French term "raclette" is commonly used for this dish.

Preparation and Serving

Raclette is typically served with boiled potatoes. The cheese is melted in small pans called coupelles, which are placed under a heating element. Meats and vegetables can be grilled on the griddle on top. The melted cheese is served over boiled potatoes, and sliced cold meats, charcuteries, cornichon pickles, and pickled onions are traditionally served on the side.

For a raclette dinner, you will need about 200g (7 oz) raclette cheese per person⁶. It's always good to buy an extra portion in case someone has a hearty appetite that night! I also like to buy a selection of different raclette cheese to keep the flavors interesting.

Variations

Raclette has evolved over time and now comes in various forms. For instance, there's an Italian version that uses mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, salami, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes. There's also a Quebec-style version that uses Gré des Champs cheese and apples.

Conclusion

Raclette is more than just a dish; it's an experience. It brings people together around a table to share a meal and create memories. So next time you're planning a dinner party, why not consider serving raclette? It's sure to be a hit!

Further Reading

Raclette - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raclette.
Raclette - The German Way & More. https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/silvester-new-years-eve-germany/raclette/.
Raclette History: All About the Cheese & the Dish - FOODICLES. https://foodicles.com/raclette-history/.
How To Prepare and Serve Raclette | The Kitchn. https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-prepare-and-serve-racle-64950.
How to Make Raclette. https://eatlittlebird.com/how-to-make-raclette/.
A Practical Guide to Raclette | RICARDO - Ricardo Cuisine. https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/articles/special-feature/1419-a-practical-guide-to-raclette.
History of Raclette – RacletteCorner. https://raclettecorner.com/pages/history.
Raclette Cheese - Food History. https://foodhistory.blog/2021/01/28/raclette-cheese/.
Baked Raclette Recipe | Ina Garten | Food Network. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/baked-raclette-12125957.
Raclette: A Perfect French and Swiss Cheese for Fondue - The Spruce Eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-raclette-591167.
How to Throw a Raclette Dinner Party - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-throw-a-raclette-party-1196734.
Raclette. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/raclette-recipe-1951684.
Raclette. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/raclette.