LE CUIETTE, THE TYPICAL DISH OF ENTRACQUE

'Exotic, bad, toxic and fruit of the devil'. These are some of the - not exactly flattering - opinions that sum up what the inhabitants of the small village in the Gesso Valley thought of potatoes in the 18th century. Today, when Entracque is mentioned, we imagine a paradise for those who love the outdoors and unspoilt nature, but also as a place that tempts the sweet tooth we all have hidden deep inside. The village is known for ‘cuiette’, the delicious potato dumplings celebrated on the feast of the patron saint, which usually falls on the first weekend in September.

Not to be missed

The Gelas Glacier

Entracque potatoes

Cuiette

The Potato Fair

Entracque is the last municipality in the Gesso Valley, separated from France only by the mountains and known as a paradise for the outdoors and unspoilt nature. Its territory is home to both the southernmost glacier in the entire Alpine arc, the Gelas, and to one of the largest dams in Europe, a true masterpiece of engineering carved entirely out of rock. Not only that, the village is on the doorstep of the Maritime Alps Natural Park, one of the largest nature reserves in Piedmont.

However, when we think of Entracque, the cuiette, (potato gnocchi in Occitan), are the first thing that come to mind, even before all the other unique highlights of the area mentioned. Potato cultivation spread in the Cuneo valleys from the second half of the 18th century. Farmers were initially reluctant to cultivate it, the exotic tuber strayed too far from the local products, and was also wrongly considered toxic, earning a reputation as a 'product of the devil', with a bad taste, probably because it was initially eaten raw. After a physiological period of adaptation, people realised that the potato, when cooked, had an excellent flavour, was very filling and, above all, adapted well to the harsh mountain climate, where it acquired far superior organoleptic properties compared to the same product cultivated in the plains. 

Potato gnocchi is a simple, basic and tasty dish. Cuiette are served with a cream of Castel d'Ariund, a local alpine cheese, or with red sausage gravy. The exotic product was thus combined with and complemented the local toma cheese, creating an indissoluble bond and becoming the hallmark of numerous Cuneo Alpine valleys, each with its own typical dish created with a different quality of potato. 

In the first weekend of September, the patron saint of the village of Entracque is not only celebrated by religious ceremonies, but also by the famous Potato Fair, held for more than twenty years. During that weekend, visitors can buy the local new potatoes, usually harvested during the last week of August, alpine cheese and many other typical products. It also offers an opportunity to taste the famous cuiette, handmade by volunteers from Entracque and distributed in the square. Places are limited and it is advisable to book a place or reserve a table in one of the excellent restaurants in the area.

CUNEO ALPS: YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY. GESSO VALLEY

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