Enchanting Swiss Journal: Part 2: Pizza under the Alps

Church of Rüschegg up the hill from our pizza get-together

Esther grew up in a small farming village in Switzerland called Rüti bei Riggisberg. The village was spread out over many miles. She went to a two-room, two-story school house that served nine grades; four grades in the lower floor, and five grades on the upper floor. There were six student in Esther’s class; that being the average number in each of the nine classes. Esther was lucky, she lived only a few blocks from the school, while most had to walk or bike several miles in order to attend. 

When one of Esther’s classmates, Brigitte, heard that Esther would be in her village visiting her brother Walli who still lives on the family farm, she planned a surprise get together for Esther at her farm. They hadn’t seen each other for over 20 years. We arrived at her place about 11 am, not knowing exactly what to expect. 

Hans with his paddle waiting
 for the next pizza to bake

After initial greetings, we were led to a rustic shed that was decorated with flowers and walls lined with old timey tools, pots and pans. A table dominated the open space. Several of Esther’s other classmates were there, as well as a few from her brother Walli’s class. They brought toppings for pizza, salads and desserts to share in the festivities. Esther was quite surprised.

In Switzerland, a party can’t begin without an “Apero.” Usually salty snacks are
available to go along with white or rose wine or soft drinks. Usually no one can begin drinking until the host offers a toast. However, Brigitte was so distracted that Walli had too propose a toast so that we could begin the festivities. 

People continued to come, and by now it was nearly 12:30 pm, but the main meal was still not in sight. We really did not know what to expect, but we saw Brigitte’s husband Hans, building a wood fire under a chimney structure with two iron doors on the front. We kept on chatting and no one made a move to make dinner until about 1 o’clock.

At this point, Brigitte and several other women brought out 8-inch pans with dough on the bottom. Bowls were lined up on the table filled with numerous toppings for pizza: sauce, olives, pepperoni, peppers, sardines, ham, mushrooms, cheese, and so on. We were to take our pan with dough in it to the table with the toppings and make our own pizza.

The final product

In the meantime, Hans produced a wooden paddle with a long handle. We placed our newly constructed pizza on the paddle and he shoved it into the oven to bake for 15 minutes. The final result was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten. With all the snacks and salads that I had eaten, I was quite full after the first pizza. Walli and his wife Regina and several other guests went back for a second round. 

Then came desert! My favorite was a chocolate mousse but there was a great
variety of other desserts available as well. Esther had a piece of Black Forest cake. By 4 o’clock we had to leave because we were expecting to meet Walli’s children at his house for supper. 

Esther with several of her schoolmates 

I wouldn’t say we were exactly hungry when we arrived at Walli’s house. We spent time talking to our nephews Matthias and Lukas. Matthias was taking over the old farm house where Esther had grown up. The properties were first passed on to Walli, and now he is passing them on to his two sons. 

Like many structures in Switzerland, a farm shed on the property has multiple uses. The main floor was an open area that was used to store farm machinery and is now used mostly as a garage for various vehicles. On one end of the building, Walli built a two-storey apartment for his family. The upper floor as had multiple uses over the years. First, it stored hay, and then as a place to house egg-laying chickens. Lukas is currently turning the loft into a modern apartment for himself. 

Our niece Eliane, who recently returned with her husband from missionary work in Central America, was also invited to supper. I enjoyed talking to her in Spanish! In a huge coincidence, her husband, also named Lukas, grew up in Affoltern am Albis, the same city where my ancient ancestor, Valentin Klemmer was born. 

Not only were we stuffed, but we were also exhausted by the end of the day. And our adventure in Switzerland had only begun.

Below is Esther's home place. On the right is the original house-barn, on the left is the multi-puropse "shed."