Cholera (food) facts for kids
In the Valais region of Switzerland, a cholera is a special kind of savoury pastry or pie. It's filled with a mix of potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and cheese. Even though it shares a name with a serious illness, this delicious dish has a unique and interesting history!
Contents
What is Cholera (the dish)?
The Cholera pie is a traditional dish from the Valais area in Switzerland. It's a bit like a deep-dish pie or tart. It has a crispy pastry crust that holds a tasty filling. This filling often includes a mix of ingredients that might seem unusual together, like fruits and vegetables.
How did it get its name?
The unusual name of this pie comes from a real historical event. In 1836, a serious illness called cholera was spreading. During this time, it was hard for people to go to markets or trade goods as usual. People had to stay home and use whatever food they had on hand.
So, families in the Valais region got creative. They gathered ingredients from their gardens or pantries. They put these ingredients into a pastry crust and baked them. This simple, improvised meal helped them get by during a difficult time. After the illness passed, people remembered this resourceful dish. Chefs in the area decided to make it a proper recipe, using local ingredients. That's how the "cholera" dish became a lasting tradition!
What's in a Cholera pie?
The original Cholera pie used ingredients that were common in the Valais region. These often included:
The mix of sweet fruits like apples and pears with savory items like potatoes, bacon, and cheese gives the Cholera pie a unique and delicious flavor. It's a hearty meal, perfect for a cold day.
Where can you find it?
The Cholera pie is mostly known and enjoyed in the Valais region of Switzerland. This area is also known as Wallis. If you visit Valais, you might find this special pie on restaurant menus or at local bakeries. It's a true taste of Swiss history and tradition!
