A Swiss farmers' breakfast - the rosti
Traditionally eaten by farmers in Switzerland the rosti makes a solid start for the day. My take on it incorporates additional veg – courgettes and tomatoes. A versatile dish that can be eaten cold or hot and once made will happily sit in the fridge for a couple of days or freeze and keep for a few weeks. You can cut it into fingers for younger babies and it's super soft so easy to gum, and to be honest it can be eaten for lunch and, as the Swiss sometimes do, as a side for dinner. Rosti dishes are portrayed as a stereotypical part of the Swiss-Germanic culture, as opposed to Latin culture. The geographic region separating the French- and German-speaking parts of the country is therefore commonly referred to as the Röstigraben: literally the "rösti ditch".
Makes enough for 2 grown-ups and baby
Ingredients
400g potatoes
1 courgette
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 eggs – beaten
100g cherry tomatoes
Method
1. Peel the potatoes and part boil by bringing to a boil and bubbling away for around 6-7 mins. Then immediately plunge the potatoes into cold water.
2. Grate the courgette. Mix the courgette, egg and parsley in a bowl.
3. Grate the potatoes and add to the courgette, egg and parsley and mix well.
4. Spoon into a springform baking tin, approx 18cm in diameter.
5. Chop the cherry tomatoes into eights and then sprinkle them on top of the potato mix and gently press them down with the palm of your hand.
6. Cook at 180C fan for around 35 mins. Leave to cool then carefully using a knife separate the side of the rosti from the pan and slice and serve.
Tips
Once made the rosti will happily sit in the fridge for a couple of days or freeze and keep for a few weeks. You can warm through in the oven before serving or eat it cold. It can be cut it into fingers for younger babies and it's super soft so easy to gum, and to be honest it can be eaten for lunch and, as the Swiss sometimes do, as a side for dinner.
Facts
Rosti dishes are portrayed as a stereotypical part of the Swiss-Germanic culture, as opposed to Latin culture. The geographic region separating the French- and German-speaking parts of the country is therefore commonly referred to as the Röstigraben: literally the "rösti ditch".