Aligot
Aligot is a dish made from cheese blended into mashed potatoes that is made on the high plateau of Aubrac in the southern Massif Central of France. This dish is a common sight in Auvergne restaurants.
Background
Traditionally made with fresh tomme de Laguiole, or tomme d'Auvergne cheese, aligot is highly appreciated in the local gastronomy with thick Toulouse sausages or roast beef. Other cheeses are sometimes used in place of fresh tomme, which is hard to get by as it should ideally be used in the days following its making, or else it will be too strong in taste. The choice of cheese is important, and strongly affects the result. The cheese must be mild, with a lactic tang, but not too much salt, and melt easily. Floury, rather than waxy, potatoes are preferable.
Ingredients
Aligot is made from mashed potatoes blended with butter, cream, and melted cheese, often but not always with crushed garlic. The dish is ready when it develops a smooth, elastic texture. While recipes vary, the Larousse Gastronomique gives the ingredients as 1 kg potatoes; 500 g tomme fraîche, Laguiole, or Cantal cheese; 2 garlic cloves; 30 g butter; salt and pepper.
Serving history
This dish was prepared for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela who stopped for a night in that region. According to legend, aligot was originally prepared with bread, and potatoes were substituted after their introduction to France. Today, it is enjoyed for village gatherings and celebrations as a main dish. In the region of Aubrac, and more generally in the south of Auvergne, Aligot is still cooked by hand in homes and street markets. During the summer, it is the main dish served in traditional farm buildings known as "burons", where cows used to be milked, that are converted into seasonal restaurants.
Etymology
The name aligot may have been derived from the Occitan alicouot, from the Latin aliquid, or from the Old French harigoter.