Galette

Galette is a word that comes from the Norman language and means "flat cake". In French cuisine, it is used to describe different kinds of flat, round, or freeform cakes or pies. One special kind of galette is called the Breton galette, which is a pancake made with buckwheat flour and often filled with savory ingredients.

There is also a famous type called the galette des rois, or king cake, which people eat on the day of Epiphany. In French Canada, the word galette usually means a big, tasty cookie. These treats are enjoyed in many places and come in many flavors and styles.

Fruit galette

A fruit galette is a type of pie that has one layer of crust and is filled with fruit. The crust is folded over part of the fruit, but not all the way, giving it a relaxed look. The fruit used can change with the seasons and might include apples, berries like strawberries or blueberries, or stone fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines, or cherries. Sometimes, spices, zests, or even peppers are added for extra flavor. You can make the crust yourself or buy one that is already made. Fruit galettes are often enjoyed warm, sometimes with ice cream on top.

Bon Appétit magazine says that these galettes are easy to make and look nice without trying too hard. They have a friendly, homemade feel, and the little mistakes in how they look are what make them special.

Savory galettes

The galette-saucisse is a Breton street food sold in Rennes in the main market on Place des Lices, in the smaller Les Halles market, and by food trucks outside the football stadium. Savory galettes are a flexible and simple kind of tart, known for their free-form crust that holds many tasty fillings. Instead of using a closed pie crust, galettes are made by folding the edges of a single sheet of dough over the filling, leaving the middle open. This creates a golden-brown crust that adds a nice crunch to each bite.

Common fillings for savory galettes include a mix of vegetables, cheeses, meats, and herbs. They can be served as a main dish or as a side. Popular choices include spinach and feta, mushrooms and Gruyère, and vegetables cooked in the style of ratatouille.

Heirloom tomato galettes

Heirloom tomato galettes are a special kind of savory galette that highlight the bright flavors and colors of heirloom tomatoes. These tomatoes are known for their unique shapes, sizes, and rich taste. Usually, the heirloom tomatoes are sliced and placed over a layer of cheese, such as ricotta, mozzarella, or goat cheese, often with herbs like basil or thyme. The edges of the dough are folded over the filling, leaving the colorful tomatoes visible in the center.

Heirloom tomato galettes are often enjoyed at picnics, brunches, or as a light dinner.

Mushroom and Gruyère galettes

Mushroom and Gruyère galettes are another favorite type of savory galette. Often, different kinds of mushrooms such as cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms are cooked with garlic and thyme until soft and fragrant. The mushrooms are then placed over a layer of Gruyère cheese. The dough is folded over the edges of the filling, making a rustic, golden-brown crust.

Ratatouille galettes

Ratatouille galettes are inspired by the classic French dish, ratatouille, which uses a mix of summer vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes. These vegetables are thinly sliced and layered over a bed of ricotta or goat cheese, often seasoned with garlic, herbs de Provence, and olive oil. The vegetables are arranged in a pretty pattern, and the edges of the dough are folded over to create a rustic border.

Breton galette

Main article: Kaletez

Breton galette is a type of flat pancake made from buckwheat flour. It is often called just "galette" in French restaurants called crêperies. These pancakes are bigger and usually filled with savory foods, unlike smaller wheat flour pancakes called crêpes, which are often sweet.

Breton galettes come from the Brittany region of France, where they were sometimes eaten instead of bread. Buckwheat grows well in poor soil and was also used in places like Limousin and Auvergne.

Galettes can be filled with many tasty things like eggs, meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, apples, or berries. A popular way to eat them is topped with grated Emmental cheese, a slice of ham, and a cooked egg, called a galette complète. Another favorite is a hot sausage wrapped inside a galette, known as a galette saucisse, a tradition from Rennes in Brittany, eaten like a hot dog.

Creole galette

The Guianan galette, also called the Creole galette, is a special pastry from French Guianan cuisine. It is a type of dessert similar to the galette des rois and is enjoyed during Epiphany.

People often add cream, coconut, or guava to it. This sweet treat is eaten during the Carnival season, from Epiphany until Ash Wednesday, and is best served with champagne.