“Understanding Millennials—How Do Potatoes Fit Into Their Lives?” is amazing for many reasons, but let’s start with the obvious: potatoes fit into everyone’s lives because they’re great, regardless of age or nationality. Now that it’s winter and everyone could use some extra carbs, we’ve rounded up the best potato recipes from around the globe. From aloo gobi to gamja jeon, there are plenty of standout dishes to add to the weeknight rotation. No guarantees that anything can live up to that Bavarian “Hot Potato” Calendar, though.
Aloo Gobi
Place of origin: India
What it is: Often shamefully overlooked in favor of palak paneer as a vegetarian staple for Indian takeout, aloo gobi is a mix of potatoes, cauliflower, and spices (mostly turmeric). This dish is an excellent way to sneak veggies into a carbo-loading routine. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: Food & Wine
Tortilla Española
Place of origin: Spain
What it is: Sometimes known as a Spanish omelet, this massive cake—or torte, hence “tortilla”—is made of sliced potatoes and eggs that are fried in vegetable oil. Onions are often thrown in for good measure, depending who you ask. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: Saveur
Rosti
Place of origin: Switzerland
What it is: Just the essentials—grated potatoes, fried in butter and shaped into a patty in the pan. Because it’s so simple, it’s typically a side dish rather than the main event, and often a component of breakfast alongside with eggs, spinach, or sausage. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: The Guardian
Salchipapas
Place of origin: Latin America
What it is: Sausage and french fries—hence the name (a portmanteau of the Spanish words for sausage and potato)—served with slaw for some obligatory crunch/acid/vegetables. Don’t confuse salchipapas with carne asada fries, its Southern Californian drunk-food cousin. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: Peru Delights
Latkes
Place of origin: Eastern Europe
What it is: The highlight of every Hanukkah season. Similar to rosti, latkes are shredded potatoes fried until golden; unlike rosti, they’re often served at dinnertime and accompanied by sour cream, or applesauce if you’re a seven-year-old or have the palate of one. This is the ideal prelude snack to binging on gelt. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: Bill Telepan for First We Feast
Gnocchi
Place of origin: Italy
What it is: Fluffy, delicious dumplings that are better than pasta, but go with many of the same things (especially pesto). They can be made with non-potato ingredients like semolina, but the best gnocchi are potato gnocchi, because duh. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: Fine Cooking
Poutine
Place of origin: Canada
What it is: French fries. Gravy. And CHEESE CURDS. Somehow, this monstrosity (read: triumph) of fat and carbs does not come from America. (Photo: Flickr)
Best recipe: Saveur
Clapshot
Place of origin: Scotland
What it is: Sort of like mashed potatoes, but beefed up with rutabaga and served with haggis instead of turkey. Also known as “neeps and tatties.” (Photo: London Eats)
Best recipe: BBC
Pommes soufflées
Place of origin: France
What it is: A potato dish orders of magnitude classier than the humble latke or post-4 AM poutine, pommes soufflées are double-fried to create a delicate, puffy crisp. Just don’t call them potato chips. (Photo: Gourmets&Co)
Best recipe: Serious Eats
Gamja jeon
Place of origin: South Korea
What it is: The appeal of the quick and easy potato pancake is universal. Gamja jeon, the Korean version, combines potatoes with standard pancake flour and adds carrots or onions for flavor. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Best recipe: My Korean Eats