Rösti

Rösti ([ˈrøːʃti]) or röschti is a Swiss dish consisting mainly of potatoes., in the style of a fritter. It was originally a breakfast dish, commonly eaten by farmers in the canton of Bern, but is now eaten all over Switzerland and around the world. The French name röstis bernois makes direct reference to the origins of the dish.

Many Swiss people consider rösti to be a national dish. Rather than considering it a complete breakfast, it is more commonly served to accompany other dishes such as "Spinat und Spiegelei" (spinach and fried eggs, sunny side up), cervelas or Fleischkäse. It is commonly available in Swiss restaurants as a replacement for the standard side dish of a given meal.

Preparation

Rösti dishes are made with coarsely grated potato, either cooked or raw. Depending on the frying technique, oil, butter or another fat may be added (and usually salt and pepper). It is also common to fry the grated potato without additional fats. The grated potatoes are shaped into rounds or patties, usually measuring between 3–12 cm (1 to 5 inches) in diameter and 1–2 cm (0.5 inch) thick. Rösti are most often pan-fried and shaped in the frying pan during cooking, but they can also be baked in the oven. Although basic rösti consists of nothing but potato, a number of additional ingredients are sometimes added, such as bacon, onion, cheese, apple or fresh herbs. This is usually considered to be a regional touch.