Specialities of Ardèche
Because of its climate and altitude, the Ardèche has a rich cuisine with lots of potatoes, chestnuts, wild blueberries and charcuterie. Very good wines and cheeses are also produced in the Ardèche.
As its traditional dishes are numerous, we present here some of the best specialities of the Ardèche, culinary specialities based on local products and meats such as veal or lamb, which make up all the flavours of the land and the Ardèche gastronomy.
The most gourmet among you will not tire of tasting them and will accompany them with wines from the Ardèche vineyards, whose vineyards you can of course visit. The culinary tour begins!
Savoury Ardèche specialities
The creek
The Ardèche creek is one of the main specialities of the Ardèche. It is a thick pancake of chopped potatoes cooked in a pan. It is simply composed of potatoes, salt and pepper. Sometimes onions, garlic, parsley or eggs are added.
The cousina
Chestnuts are everywhere in the Ardèche, especially in this soup containing peeled whole chestnuts, fresh cream and celery and nutmeg. The ideal dish in winter!
The bomb
Bombine is a dish based on potatoes, pork ribs, garlic, onion and bay leaf. There are many variations, with porcini mushrooms for example. It was once the “poor man’s dish” and is one of the traditional dishes of the Ardèche.
The mique
Mique is a simple potato dumpling cooked in water and mixed with cream and tomme cheese before being baked. There are many different recipes.
Abomasum
Caillette ardéchoise is a small pate made from pork, chard, spinach or salad depending on the recipe, sometimes with eggs or garlic. It can be served cold as a starter with a salad, or pan-fried with steamed potatoes.
The Ardeche toupi
The toupi is a potato gratin with pieces of salted pork cooked in the oven with several aromatic herbs and olive oil. The toupi is actually the name of the small earthenware pot in which the dish is cooked. It is a speciality of the Cévennes of Ardèche.
Picodon cheese
If there is only one cheese to taste during your stay in the Ardèche, it is the picodon, a small round cheese made from raw goat’s milk, a bit spicy, hence its name.
Sweet Ardèche specialities
Blueberries
The Ardèche blueberry comes mainly from the Cévennes in the west of the department and from the Monts d’Ardèche regional nature park. In Ardèche, it is everywhere: tarts, mousses, coulis, jams, sorbets and even in savoury dishes. It is sometimes found with foie gras, trout or wild boar in particular. But it is perhaps in its natural state that the Ardèche wild blueberry is the best! It is picked at the beginning of August by hand, with a sort of small comb. At the end of July, the blueberry festival is held in Péreyres or Mézilhac;
Chestnut
The Ardèche chestnut is used in many sweet and savoury recipes, such as cousina, chestnut cake, sweet chestnut cake, chestnut cream or marrons glacés. But also in alcohols such as castagnou, made of white wine and chestnut liqueur. The Ardèche chestnut is now an AOC designation. One of the five varieties grown in the Ardèche is sometimes called burzette, after Burzet, a small village north of the Monts d’Ardèche where it is produced.
The Ardèche bugne
The bugne ardéchoise, also called oreillette, are a form of crunchy or soft doughnut that children love at snack time.
The Annonay puppet
The Annonay pink puppet is a traditional shortbread cake which has been present in the region since the 18th century. This pink coloured biscuit takes various shapes and is covered with icing. It is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
The Joyeuse macaroon
Joyeuse is a village situated along the Baume river, about ten kilometres south of Chassiers. It specialises in macaroons. It is indeed a tradition since 1581! Round, made of almonds and hazelnuts, its recipe has not changed. This little biscuit is a real trip back in time!
Many other specialities await you!
During your holidays in the Ardèche you will have the opportunity to taste the many local specialities, notably at the Auberge des Ranchisses, our gastronimic restaurant in Ardèche.
In addition to the Ardèche specialities mentioned, maoche (stuffed pork belly), fin gras du Mézenc, cévenole pork, blueberry tart, sweet chestnut cake and a whole host of artisanal cheeses, festive dishes and desserts will awaken your taste buds.
