Toulouse. Les Rousquilles du Palais: this temple of Catalan delights has opened in the city center
By David Saint-Sernin
Published on
We crunch it as we enter a religion. Fervently…
one month, the Since rousquille made a grand entrance In Toulouse. This traditional specialty of Eastern Pyrenees indeed his shop in the heart of the Pink City.
Quartier Saint-Etienne, the new brand The Rousquilles of the Palace is indeed the temple of this shortbread biscuit in the shape of a ring, traditionally flavored with anise, and whose surface is covered with meringue.
Charming Shop
At the head of this charming sign with a haughty facade and daily gourmet scents, we find Raphaëlle Gros who opened her second shop here after that of Bourg-Madame (Pyrénées-Orientales) three years ago.
“And the Toulouse debut is promising. I had started selling Rousquilles in other stores in Toulouse before the covid and the reception had been fantastic. And since the opening of our own boutique, Toulouse residents have been curious… They play the game as well as the Catalan community, numerous in the Pink City, which finds its Madelaine de Proust here”, appreciates Raphaëlle.
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For novices, rousquille has existed for more than 200 years in Catalonia and is linked to the Vallespir valley in the Pyrénées-Orientales department.
Raphaëlle takes us back in time:
“Les Rousquilles were made in the upper valley of Vallespir. These rings of anise-flavored biscuits were left to dry on long, thin sticks, the Rosquillares, which peddlers carried on their shoulders. They descended on donkeys from the mountains of Vallespir to reach Perpignan, which allowed the biscuit to dry well and give it its crunchy texture”.
About 24 hours of preparation
In 2022, its preparation remains an ode to patience. It takes about 24 hours from the production of the paste to the end of the drying. The rousquille is then eaten at the end of the meal, after dessert, at coffee time, or as a snack. It can go perfectly with the wines of Catalonia.
A chocolate rousquille
In her shop, Raphaëlle revisits the rousquille. There is the traditional anise flavor but other flavors (orange blossom, lemon and even chocolate which was the novelty of Easter and which obviously pleased the people of Toulouse). The biscuit is artisanal, 100% pure butter with a shortbread texture.
Crunchies and savory shortbread
In addition to the rousquille, Les Rousquilles du Palais give pride of place to Catalan crisps and Comté cheese shortbread, small savory shortbreads to be enjoyed as an aperitif.
A real royal.
The Rousquilles of the Palace
7 rue Pierre de Fermat
Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. then 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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