Salt Potatoes - what is the secret?
These are a seriously big deal in upstate NY. I think they're small new potatoes and they come packaged with about a pound of salt - probably sea salt or kosher salt? Several to 5 lbs of potatoes get cooked with all of the salt in water. Then they are dipped in butter to eat. Anyone know exactly what I need to look for to make these?
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16 Comments:
A cardiologist? :)
clemon79 at 4:44PM on 01/17/08
They are exactly what you described. Nothing more complicated than that.
http://yorkstaters.blogspot.com/2006/03/tastes-of-region-7-salt-potatoes_20.html
bobbob at 4:53PM on 01/17/08
Thanks bobbob. Fingerlings would be an option to try. The salt they use is unique - doesn't make the potatoes taste too salty. I've tried kosher and thought they tasted like salt. I use rock salt on my driveway!
Cute clemon79. ;) The skins are intact, so you really don't get much butter on a tiny potato.
I have guests coming who used to live in Syracuse and wanted to surprise them with a "summer picnic".
PerkyMac at 6:19PM on 01/17/08
PerkyMac, Kosher salt has a very high salt content - about 99%, versus many varieties of sea salt which have only about 88% salt content and 12% trace minerals. Finding one that is not cost prohibitive, however, can be difficult (since you're just adding it to boiling water.) Eden Foods sells a nice Portuguese sea salt for about $3 per pound, available online or at Whole Foods.
For potatoes I would try any gold variety, size C, and pack them in the salt for at least 3 days. This will condense the flesh, remove alkaloid juices - even through the skin - and keep the potatoes from absorbing too much salt in the cooking liquid.
zapatista at 8:53PM on 01/17/08
zapatista
WOW! So very helpful. Thanks so much for sharing your extensive knowledge - it is really appreciated.
PerkyMac at 9:10PM on 01/17/08
They come prepackaged with the salt and potatoes here in Rochester. I'll check the bag tonight at Wegman's and see if they mention the specific salt used in the ingredients.
randyzip at 10:06AM on 01/18/08
PerkyMac I should have found you a better recipe. I've never seen rock salt used either.
bobbob at 10:34AM on 01/18/08
@rancyzip - That would be great. Would you also check how many lbs. of potatoes are in the bag? I think it comes with about one lb. of salt? My mother (God rest her sweet soul) used to buy them at Wegmans and we all loved them. They had a white residue on the skins after cooking, but had just the right amount of salt flavor. I can't eat foods that are too salty and the ones I tried at home with my kosher salt were WAY too salty.
@bobbob - you are sweet. It really isn't the recipe I need - just the proper ingredients (the SALT), and the ratio of potatoes to salt.
SE sure has some great people. Hope I can be of help one day.
PerkyMac at 10:49AM on 01/18/08
In Syracuse, where I grew up, and saltpotatoes were indiginous, nobody used kosher salt and no one even heard of sea salt. It was just good reliable "salt." And of course, plenty of melted butter.
SavtaShayna at 12:30PM on 01/18/08
I make salt potatoes at home in the summer, and never use a specific salt either.....I've used table, kosher and sea salt...depending on what I have on hand. I always use small or baby potatoes....adjusting the amount of potatoes depending on how many I'm cooking for. I would use about 1/4 c of salt per lb of potatoes, but I usually don't measure, just pouring the salt in until the water looks cloudy (once the salt dissolves the water turns clear, leaving the salty residue on the potatoes & pan).
Yes...you can get the prepackaged 'kit' at Wegmans - I believe they are 4 lbs of potatoes. You could start with that, and then try doing it on your own after seeing how it works.
mepolo at 1:16PM on 01/18/08
I wish they were available where I live! I have used the "kit" in Syracuse. I don't know why, but I thought they only sold them in warm months I haven't been able to get the same flavor with my salt.
Thanks for your contribution!
PerkyMac at 1:38PM on 01/18/08
I know that the salt potatoes at Wegman's are 4 1/2 lbs potatoes and 1/2 lb salt.
I just made them last night and happened to notice that and it stuck in my head. I'll still check to see if it gives the type of salt but it just looks and feels like table salt.
randyzip at 2:47PM on 01/18/08
Just checking in randyzip. The proportions are great to know. I thought I remembered coarser salt than table salt, but memory sometimes fails.
PerkyMac at 7:09PM on 01/19/08
I love salt potatoes! My husband's family is from Upstate NY and one of my favorite meals is my Father-in-law's grilled 1/2 chickens and salt potatoes. I had never had them until I met my husband.
I, too, have tried to replicate them with new potatoes, small yukons, small white potatoes etc and salt. I've kinda come close, but no cigar. When we make the trip to my father-in-law's in the Syracuse area I buy a couple of bags (or kits if you will) and bring them home.
SayWhat at 9:29PM on 01/19/08
I checked the bag and it just says "salt"
Also, my proportions were wrong before. It is 4 1/4 lbs potatoes and 12 oz. salt.
randyzip at 10:04AM on 01/21/08
After all that, huh? Laughing here. Thanks so much and sorry to put you to so much trouble. May I ask one more question - is the salt the consistency of table salt, regular NaCl2, and not larger/coarser?
PerkyMac at 11:04AM on 01/21/08