Served in many Alpine huts in French-speaking parts of Switzerland, this hearty specialty is made from pasta, potatoes, cheese and onions. Learn how to make it!
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00In Swiss mountain chalets, Elblemagornen is almost always on the menu.
00:06This chalet, around 1,600 meters up, is in the La Gruyere district in French-speaking
00:11western Switzerland, renowned for its cheese.
00:15You can only get up here by lift.
00:17Hungry winter sports enthusiasts often stop here for lunch.
00:21To prepare the Elblemagornen, Nicola needs the following ingredients.
00:27Pasta, grated Gruyere cheese, onions, diced bacon, cream, spring onions, garlic, salt
00:36and pepper, and applesauce on the side.
00:39In German-speaking Switzerland, the dish is made with potatoes.
00:43First, I take a knob of butter and sauté the onions briefly.
00:51Then I add the bacon.
00:57To enhance the color, add a few spring onions, a little garlic, and now we add the macaroni.
01:15Mix everything well and let it steam lightly.
01:19Add a bit of salt and pepper.
01:24The whole thing is then cooked, like a risotto, so add a little stock, stir, and leave it
01:31to reduce.
01:35Cooking time is six or seven minutes, depending on the pasta.
01:40Now you can see the pasta is almost cooked, then you add the grated Gruyere.
01:48This would also be the time to add potatoes, as traditionally eaten in German-speaking
01:51Switzerland.
01:53It's important to pre-cook the potatoes as they take longer to cook than the pasta.
02:01And then there's this regional product, double cream, which has an especially high fat content.
02:10Now you can turn off the stove so the cream won't boil again.
02:16It's ready for serving.
02:23A refreshing addition to the dish is finely chopped green onions, crispy fried onions
02:27for a crunch, and applesauce on the side for those who enjoy it.
02:37And the Alpe Macaroni is done, enjoy!
02:42According to legend, Italian guest workers who helped construct the Gotthard road tunnel
02:47introduced macaroni to Switzerland in the late 19th century.
02:52Pasta was a practical option for herdsmen in the mountains.
02:55It's long-lasting, nutritious and easy to transport.
02:59They added mountain cheese and cream, creating the Alpe Macaroni.
03:04Macaroni is the Swiss term for macaroni.
03:08This dish is especially popular in the La Gruyere region.
03:12It's a family-friendly, convivial dish that people love and appreciate.
03:17There's something cozy about it.
03:21Alpe Macaroni is often considered the Swiss equivalent of mac and cheese, but there are
03:26key differences.
03:28First of all, Alpe Macaroni is made with Gruyere cheese, which is specific to the region, while
03:33mac and cheese typically uses cheddar, which is also usually baked on top.
03:39Secondly, Alpe Macaroni is served with applesauce, but why?
03:45The dish is very hot, and the applesauce adds a sweet note, making it a little more delicate.
03:50It provides a certain freshness, contrasting with the heat.
03:57And why do the Swiss love Alpe Macaroni so much?
04:03It's filling, quick to prepare and served hot, a satisfying lunch that keeps you going
04:07all afternoon.
04:11In our region, it's a tradition.
04:13I highly recommend this dish to anyone who hasn't tried it before.
04:21Alpe Macaroni is comforting Swiss soul food that leaves you satisfied and warms you up
04:27during the cold grey winter season.