What are allumettes?

Allumettes are thin, matchstick-shaped pieces of food, often used to describe a style of cutting vegetables, particularly potatoes, into small, uniform strips. The term is derived from the French Word for "matches," reflecting their slender shape. In culinary contexts, allumettes can refer to various ingredients, including fried potato sticks, often served as a side dish or snack, such as in the case of French fries. They can also refer to other ingredients cut in a similar fashion, like certain cheeses or vegetables.