Pass the Potatoes Please

Europe

Latvia

Kartupelu pankukas in Latvian or potato pancakes in English. They are prepared with grated potatoes, eggs, and flour, and seasoned with salt and pepper. The potato pancakes are fried until golden brown and served with sour cream and lingonberry sauce.

Lithuania

Bulbiniai blynai are traditional, crispy, and delicious potato pancakes. They are prepared with grated potatoes, diced onions, eggs, and flour. Then the mixture is seasoned with salt and pepper. You can add some lemon juice before frying for a beautiful golden color. They are served with sour cream, applesauce, or jam.

Denmark

Brunede kartofler or caramelized potatoes is a flavorful dish mostly associated with Christmas. The potatoes are cooked and peeled. Then the potatoes are simmered in a mixture of sugar and butter until they are coated by a caramelized glaze.

France

Tartiflette is a gratinated potato dish that originated in the mountainous region of Savoie. It is prepared with medium-sized potatoes, white wine, Reblochon cheese, onions, smoked salt pork, and crème fraiche. The dish is baked until the cheese melts and browns. Reblochon is a creamy, nutty cheese made from unpasteurized cow’s milk.

Gratin Dauphinois comes from the historic Dauphine region. It is a tasty dish prepared with thinly sliced potatoes, crème fraiche, and butter baked in a shallow baking pan. It can be eaten as a main dish, with a salad, or with meat or fish.

Netherlands

Patatje oorlog is a Dutch street food. It consists of French fries topped with condiments like mayonnaise, finely chopped onions, and peanut-based satay-style sauce flavored with olek sambal, soy sauce, and chili.

Germany

Bratkartoffeln is a classic pan-fried potato dish. Potatoes are diced or sliced and combined with bacon, ham, onions, vegetables, and fresh herbs and spice. The dish is cooked in a pan till the potatoes are golden and crispy but tender on the inside. It is accompanied by roasted or grilled meat, sausages, fried eggs, or fish.

Kartoffelsalat is a traditional German potato salad from the Swabia region in southern Germany. The salad is prepared with boiled, sliced potatoes, chopped onions, beef broth, white vinegar, oil, mild German mustard, sugar, and pepper.

Switzerland

Rosti is prepared with potatoes that have been boiled, peeled, chilled, and grated into long strips. They are fried with butter, oil, salt, and some bacon fat. Additional ingredients can include herbs, onions, ham, or grated cheese.

Hungary

Rakott krumpli is a traditional casserole and one of the most popular Hungarian dishes. The casserole is prepared with layers of sliced potatoes, fried bacon, or csabat sausage with a creamy mixture of eggs and sour cream. It is baked until golden brown,

Greece

Patatosalata is a Greek potato salad. It is prepared with large bite-sized potato chunks coated in a tasty dressing made with olive oil, mustard, yogurt, or mayonnaise. The salad can include vegetables, boiled eggs, olives, and fresh herbs like dill or parsley.

Italy

Crocche is a popular Sicilian deep-fried snack. It is made with mashed potatoes, eggs, Parmigiano, and mozzarella cheese. Additional ingredients include provolone cheese, prosciutto, and salami. Formed into patties and deep-fried golden brown.

Spain

Tortilla de Betanzos originated in the Galician municipality of Betanzos. It is a Spanish omelet that is made with potatoes, eggs, oil, and salt.

Patatas Bravas is a traditional tapas dish. It consists of potato cubes drenched in spicy tomato sauce with onions, garlic, chili powder, and paprika. It is a popular late-night snack. Traditionally it is served with aioli sauce on top but can be topped with chorizo slices or fried fish.

Asia

Japan

Daigako imo are crispy deep-fried potatoes. The potatoes are coated with a sweet sugar glaze.

India

Batata vada originated in the Indian state of Maharashtra and is a popular street food. The potato fritters are made with mashed potatoes and spice then shaped into balls and deep fried. They’re served with a chutney that consists of shredded coconut, tamarind, and garlic.

Aloo gobi is a traditional dish originating in Northern India. It is made with potatoes, cauliflower, onions, and spices all slowly simmered together. Spices include turmeric, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and red pepper. It is served with rice, bread, chutney, or cucumber salad.

Korea

Gamajajeon are pancakes made with grated or pureed potatoes. They can include scallions, chives, carrots, or onions. The pancakes are small and round and pan-fried crispy on the outside. These are served with choganjang a dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and water.

North America

The US

Funeral potatoes are a comfort food. This dish is prepared with cubed potatoes, cheese, onions, cream soup or sauce, sour cream, and a topping of butter and cornflakes or crushed potato chips. All baked in a casserole until the top is golden brown.

Disco fries consist of thick-cut steak fries layered with brown gravy and mozzarella cheese. American cheese can be used as well.

Chili cheese fries is a delicious dish made with French fries topped with chili and grated cheese.

Jo Jo potatoes is a traditional dish across the Pacific Northwest. It is prepared with potatoes, breadcrumbs, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, thyme, mustard, paprika, and oil, The potatoes are cut into wedges and heated, drizzled with oil, and stirred. The breadcrumbs are mixed with paprika, mustard, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, and thyme, The potatoes are dredged in this mixture and baked to a golden brown.

South America

Ecuador

Llapingachos are potato patties usually served with spicy peanut sauce on the side. They’re made with mashed potatoes and cheese. The cheese used is farmer, queso fresco, or Monterey Jack. Then flattened and fried on a griddle until golden brown. Traditionally they’re served as a side dish with avocadoes, salads, fried eggs, pork, and chorizo.

Peru

Papa rellenas are stuffed potatoes prepared like croquettes. Mashed potatoes are filled with chopped beef combined with onions and cumin. The croquettes are fried until golden.

Papa a la huancaina is an authentic and unique potato dish. It consists of spicy, creamy, and rich cheese sauce drizzled over boiled potatoes. The sauce is prepared with aji amarillo chilis, oil, milk, cheese, salt, and crackers as a thickener. It can be served at room temperature or cold. The dish is garnished with parsley, black olives, and sliced hard-boiled eggs.