Local Dishes

1. ils capuns

   Capuns — Graubünden dish of herb-and-dried-meat dough wrapped in chard leaves

   Usage

   A signature dish of Graubünden. The dough is wrapped in chard leaves, cooked in milk and broth, and served with grated cheese. Every household is said to have its own recipe. It is always named in the plural

   Grammar Note

   Capuns is a masculine plural noun and the dish is always named in the plural. The menu prints it simply as capuns. Composed form; native review recommended

2. ils maluns

   Maluns — a traditional Graubünden potato dish

   Usage

   A traditional Graubünden dish found in mountain huts and regional restaurants. The spelling matches the German menu name Maluns, so it is easy to spot

   Grammar Note

   Maluns is a masculine plural noun and is named in the plural. Composed form; native review recommended

3. ils bizochels

   Bizochels — small pasta dumplings, called Pizokel in German

   Usage

   A home-style Graubünden dish, often served with cheese. Menus often print the German Pizokel, so it helps to know both names

   Grammar Note

   Bizochels is a masculine plural noun and is named in the plural. Composed form; native review recommended

4. ils canedels

   Canedels — dumplings

   Usage

   The Romansh word for what German calls Knödel. It is listed among typical Graubünden dishes and comes in soup or beside meat

   Grammar Note

   The singular is il canedel; as a dish it is normally named in the plural. Composed form; native review recommended

5. la pulpa setgentada

   Pulpa setgentada — air-dried Graubünden beef, called Bündnerfleisch in German

   Usage

   A Graubünden speciality, eaten thinly sliced as it is. Menus usually print the German Bündnerfleisch. It also makes a popular souvenir

   Grammar Note

   Pulpa is feminine, so the adjective setgentada takes the feminine ending. A fuller description is pulpa setgentada a l'aria (air-dried). Composed form; native review recommended

6. l'andutgel

   Andutgel — dried sausage, called Salsiz in German

   Usage

   One of Graubünden's dried-meat specialities. German calls it Salsiz and menus often use that name. It is also an ingredient in capuns

   Grammar Note

   Andutgel is masculine, and the article is l' before a vowel. Composed form; native review recommended

7. la turta da nuschs

   Turta da nuschs — nut tart, called Nusstorte in German

   Usage

   A Graubünden speciality that is a popular souvenir, sold in bakeries and pastry shops. Menus and boxes may print the German Nusstorte

   Grammar Note

   Turta is feminine and nuschs is the plural for walnuts; da plus a noun means of. Composed form; native review recommended

8. la schuppa da giutta

   Schuppa da giutta — barley soup, called Gerstensuppe in German

   Usage

   A warming staple in mountain restaurants. Menus usually print the German Gerstensuppe or Bündner Gerstensuppe

   Grammar Note

   Schuppa is feminine and giutta means barley; da plus a noun gives the ingredient. Composed form; native review recommended

9. ils macaruns d'alp

   Macaruns d'alp — Alpine macaroni, called Älplermagronen in German

   Usage

   A Swiss alpine-hut dish known countrywide, combining pasta with potatoes and cheese. In Romansh-speaking areas the menu is often in German

   Grammar Note

   Macaruns is a masculine plural noun, and d' is da shortened before the vowel a. Composed form; native review recommended

10. rösti

    Rösti — Swiss fried grated potato

    Usage

    A classic Swiss dish that keeps this name in Romansh. It works as a side or a main

    Grammar Note

    A loanword that the dictionary lists as either gender, so no article is used here. Composed form; native review recommended

11. fondue

    Fondue — melted cheese for dipping bread

    Usage

    A classic Swiss dish with the same spelling in Romansh. It is normally shared by a group around one pot

    Grammar Note

    A loanword that the dictionary lists as masculine or feminine, so no article is used. Composed form; native review recommended

12. raclette

    Raclette — melted cheese scraped over potatoes

    Usage

    A winter mountain favourite with the same spelling in Romansh, often served with pickles

    Grammar Note

    A loanword that the dictionary lists as masculine or feminine, so no article is used. Composed form; native review recommended

13. la pizza

    Pizza

    Usage

    A staple widely eaten in Switzerland too, and the loanword spelling is understood. Even mountain towns have pizzerias

    Grammar Note

    Pizza is feminine, and an order can be ina pizza, per plaschair. Composed form; native review recommended

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