Caillette ardéchoise is an emblematic dish of the region, reflecting the rich gastronomic heritage of Ardèche. This small pâté, whose recipe is passed down from generation to generation, embodies conviviality and local know-how. Each family has its own version, adding a personal touch to this traditional specialty.

The necessary ingredients

To prepare about 10 caillettes, gather the following ingredients:

  • Vegetables :
    • 2 kg of fresh chard
  • Meat and Offal:
    • 500 g pork belly
    • 100 g pork liver
    • 100 g cooked rind
    • 50 g pork heart
    • 50 g pork kidney
    • 50 g of cracklings
  • Seasonings:
    • Salt, pepper, four spices, garlic semolina and thyme
  • Complement:
    • Some natural chestnuts

Preparation steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 ° C.
  2. Meanwhile, put the chard to cook in boiling water.
  3. Stop cooking when it starts to boil again. Press them.
  4. Chop together the pressed chard, meat and offal, scrapings and chestnuts.
  5. Season. Mix everything together.
  6. Form into balls. Bake for 45 min to 1 hour, keeping an eye on them.
  7. The caillettes are ready when they are golden brown on top.

Tasting and accompaniments

Ardèche caillette with chestnuts can be enjoyed in various ways:

  • Cold: As a starter, accompanied by a green salad.
  • Hot: As a main course, served with fried potatoes or seasonal vegetables.

This tasty dish is ideal for convivial meals, reflecting the authenticity and generosity of Ardèche cuisine.

Where to taste caillette in Ardèche ?

To enjoy authentic caillettes, head to the local charcuterie shops in the Cévennes, particularly in Chabeuil, where the Caillette FairThis event celebrates this traditional know-how, appreciated by locals and visitors alike.

The chestnut: a treasure of the Ardèche region

Incorporating chestnuts into the caillette highlights the importance of this fruit in the culinary culture of Ardèche. Symbol of the region, the chestnut brings a sweetness and a unique texture to the preparation, thus enriching the palette of flavors of this traditional dish.

Themes

Marlene

About Marlene

As a local child, for my part leaving Ardèche at the end of my studies was not an option. Curious, spontaneous and bubbly, I am very attached to my department. My Cévennes roots probably have a lot to do with it! Living and working in the Cévennes d'Ardèche was an obvious choice for me.
The sense of contact, listening, empathy, enthusiasm, expertise, have a common meaning. The Cévennes d'Ardèche, a beautiful territory for sale that I know almost like the back of my hand. A territory with character, relief, faults, wounds, passionate and exciting men and women. A true authenticity that I have tried to transmit for 20 years at the reception at the tourist office.
From physical reception to digital reception…
In the 2000s, the Web revolutionized the world of work and did not spare the tourism sector. In 2010, I decided to take the digital turn, to train myself and to deepen my knowledge by following a training course as a Digital Territory Animator. A real revelation for me. New skills, new missions, a new momentum that gave me the desire to continue my training and to obtain the title of Digital Project Manager in 2018.
My missions are varied and no two days are the same: running the website, producing content to feed social networks and the Blog (photos, articles, graphics, etc.), supporting tourism professionals in digital technology by training them in online booking tools, administering digital terminals and the hiking portal, providing after-sales service and fixing small and large computer bugs (Ah, the mysteries of IT!!), not forgetting ongoing training and monitoring to stay in the crazy digital race!
Opportunities, encounters, challenges, determination... my journey is such that if I had to do it again I wouldn't hesitate for a second!"

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