In fact, Rosti is known as one of the top five delicacies of Switzerland. The meal, basically a heap of shredded, fried potatoes, is traditionally served with fried eggs on top for a simple mountain lodge or weekday meal. Many farmers start their days with plain Rösti and a cup of milky coffee. Potatoes are also very inexpensive, making this dish extremely economical.
Swiss Rosti Recipe:
Ingredients Needed for Rösti
- 2.5 pounds potatoes, prepared 1 day ahead
- 3 Tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 2 Tablespoons milk, onion powder, garlic powder
How to Make Rösti
- Bake the potatoes in the microwave, or boil until semi-tender one day ahead. Many Swiss cooks insist on using day-old potatoes.
- The day of the meal, peel and grate the baked/boiled potatoes with a large-holed shredder.
- Heat the butter or oil in a skillet.
- Add the shredded potatoes to the skillet and sprinkle with salt.
- Press the shredded potatoes into the skillet, reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and let the potatoes brown on the bottom side. Add the optional milk, onion or garlic before covering the potatoes.
- Break the Rösti into a few pieces and flip them to brown on the other side. It will take approximately 15 minutes to fry each side; try not to disturb the Rösti too much or it will not brown.
- When ready, remove the lid and place a platter on top of the potatoes. Flip the potatoes onto the platter. Serve while hot.
Rösti Varies by Region
When traveling in Switzerland, you will notice the type of Rösti you order changes by Canton. Other variations of Rösti, based on the region of Switzerland and available ingredients, include:
- Rösti á la Jurassienne – with onion, bacon and Gruyère cheese
- Appenzeller Rösti – with bacon, pasta and Appenzeller cheese
- Basler Rösti – with onion strips
- Berner Rösti – with bacon
- Emmentaler Rösti – with Emmental cheese
- Glarner Rösti – with Sapsago cheese
- Tessiner Rösti – with dried bacon and rosemary
- Urner Rösti – with Alpine cheese, onions and coffee
- Zürcher Rösti – with onion and a pinch of cumin or caraway
Rösti can also be made from raw, shredded potatoes. It takes only about 10 more minutes to cook. To prepare, turn the potatoes a few times in the butter, cover with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes each side.
Rösti can also be used as a side dish with sausages and apples. You may also notice that some potatoes are easier to grate than others. Waxy-type potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, are better than flaky varieties such as Russet.
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