Vegetables

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Over 100 Swiss vegetable varieties

Vegetable growing is an economically important branch of Switzerland’s agriculture industry, but it accounts for only a small percentage of the country’s farmland. However, vegetable fields stretch out side by side for miles in some areas like the Great Marsh in the Bernese Seeland lake region.

Carrots

Carrots are the most popular vegetable in Switzerland. The Swiss consume around 7 kilograms of carrots per capita each year. That’s because this root vegetable is in season in Switzerland year-round, which is also why few carrots get imported. Carrots contain dietary fiber as well as essential minerals like iron and calcium. Above all, they are a good source of beta-carotene, which the human body converts into vitamin A. Beta-carotene gives carrots their typical orange color.

Carrots

Tomatoes

Tomatoes follow in second place with an annual per capita consumption figure of almost 6 kilograms. If cherry tomatoes are added to that statistic, tomatoes would actually be the favorite vegetable in Switzerland. There are thousands of tomato varieties worldwide in different shapes, colors and sizes. They can be used many ways in the kitchen, be it on pizzas, in salads or stuffed. Switzerland has experienced a veritable cherry tomato boom in recent years that has seen domestic production practically double since 2010.

Image: Paul Kilchenmann

Other vegetables

Producers grow around 100 other vegetable varieties in addition to the two most popular ones. They range from different lettuce and cabbage types to onions, cucumbers, beans, squash and niche products like Jerusalem artichokes and to regional vegetable specialties like Genevan cardoon.

Cabbage

Cabbage has a bad image as a boring winter vegetable yet it is a reliable source of vitamins in cold weather. It’s worthwhile experimenting with this versatile vegetable – and you can easily prevent flatulence by applying a few tricks.

Cabbage