Raclette cheese
|
|
Raclette is a type of cheese from Switzerland (although French variations exist).
The cheese is served in a dish known simply as raclette (from the French racler, "to scrape"), in which raclette cheese is melted and scraped off the round onto potatoes, pickles, sliced meats, and vegetables.
Traditionally, the Swiss cow herders used to take the cheese with them when they were bringing or getting the cows from the pastures up in the mountains. In the evenings at the fire, they would place the cheese next to the camp fire and, when it had reached the perfect softness, scrape it on top of some bread. Often, they would eat pickled baby onions or mini gherkins along with the cheese and bread. In the canton of Vaud, raclette is always eaten with a warm beverage.
Americans sometimes use raclette for nutty-flavored grilled cheese sandwiches.
See also: List of cheeses