They say food is the way to the heart, but can it also be my way to friendship? If sharing a meal is one of the best ways to bond, maybe this is the Swiss social hack I’ve been missing.
I’ve been living with two Swiss Germans for years now. We’ve had dinners together, sure, but we’ve never actually cooked something traditionally Swiss or attempted a proper cultural exchange in the kitchen. Since my other strategies for making Swiss German friends have been… let’s say, slow-moving, I figured it was time to test a new approach. If I can’t win them over with my charm, maybe I can win them over with food.
But before I grab my wooden spoon and apron, I need to understand: What exactly is Swiss German cuisine?
Step 1 – Research
What Do Swiss Germans Eat?
I dove into the world of Swiss German food, and here’s what I learned:
✔ Swiss food is hearty, simple, and all about cheese and potatoes. Rösti, Älplermagronen, Fondue, Raclette – if you’re lactose intolerant, good luck.
✔ Dinner happens EARLY. I usually eat around 8 PM, but my Swiss flatmates are ready for dinner at 6 PM sharp. This has been a long-standing mystery to me. Don’t they get hungry later?!
✔ Spices? You Mean… Aromat? Swiss food isn’t exactly bold on spices, but who needs them when you have Aromat? This little yellow can is Switzerland’s MVP of seasoning, on eggs, potatoes, and even salad. It may not be spicy, but for the Swiss, it’s basically flavor insurance.
Step 2- Experiment
Cooking Swiss Food for My Swiss Friends
I started with some research, diving into classic Swiss dishes.
Confession #1: Raclette and Fondue Felt Like Cheating
I started with the obvious: Raclette and Fondue. But honestly, they felt too easy. Melt cheese, dip things, repeat. It didn’t feel like enough of a challenge (or enough chaos for a good story).
So I kept digging… and landed on something a little more involved: Älplermagronen. A dish as comforting as mac & cheese, but with potatoes, onions, bacon, and – plot twist – applesauce on top.
Confession #2: Betty Bossi Was My Culinary Lifeline
Once I settled on the dish, I turned to Betty Bossi. Basically, the Swiss culinary legend, and the mom of every kitchen in the country. If she ran for president, she’d win. So I trusted her recipe.
I filmed the process with Mani Matter’s “I han es Zündhölzli azündt” playing in the background, a song about a match, a spark, and him overthinking about how it would burn down the whole town. A perfect metaphor for cooking Swiss food as a Latina trying very hard not to burn the kitchen down (Honestly, considering my usual kitchen disasters, it felt a little too appropriate.)
Confession #3: I Forgot the Apples for the Applesauce
Mid-filming, I realized I forgot one key ingredient: the apples.
Worse? It was Easter Monday. Every shop was closed. So much for homemade.
Luckily, one of my flatmates had a can tucked away in the pantry. Not ideal… but it saved the meal. (And let’s be real, after all that cutting and boiling, I probably would’ve burned the apples anyway.)
Confession #4: We Ate at 6pm Sharp… and I Survived
Dinner had to be ready by 6 on the dot. Swiss dinner hours are not flexible (at least not for my flatmates), and I usually take my time when cooking. So, timing everything felt like a mini Olympic event. But somehow, I pulled it off.
The food was hot, the table was set, and my flatmates looked only mildly surprised that it was all edible.
Confession #5: We Actually Had a Great Time
We ate. We laughed. We debated which canton is the best, because obviously, you can’t have a Swiss gathering without a little friendly cantonal rivalry.
And somewhere between the wine and the last spoonful of applesauce, this place – this quiet, punctual, cheese-loving country – felt a little more like home.
Final Thoughts
Can Food Help You Make Swiss Friends?
The verdict? It’s a step in the right direction. Cooking and eating together created a shared experience, which definitely helped break the usual social barriers. But did it magically turn my flatmates into my new best friends? Not quite.
Still, if food really is the way to the heart, maybe it’s also the way to a very cheesy friendship.
From language struggles to food diplomacy – here are more blogs you might enjoy:
- Part 1 – Introduction: How to Make Swiss German Friends (Or Die Trying)
- Part 2 – Swiss Social Rules: A Guide for the Socially Confused
- Part 3 – Speaking German in Switzerland: A Plot Twist I Didn’t See Coming
- Part 4 – Too Sofía Vergara for Switzerland? The Emotional Gap Between Cultures
- Part 5 – Swiss Compliment Culture: Too Much, Too Soon?
- Part 6 – Swiss Dinner Diaries: Applesauce From a Can and Other Confessions – You are currently HERE
