The origins of potatoes trace back to between 8,000 and 5,000 BCE from South America. Today they are used in a variety of dishes around the globe as a staple for any cuisine. But as is true for any vegetable, there are many different ways to eat a potato and also incorporate it into already existing dishes, from sauteed potatoes to a curry. This leads to the question: what exactly are the best ways to eat them?
It goes without saying, that there has to be a ranking system for the ways to eat a potato. I believe that fries, potato chips, and hash browns are the top three potato dishes, and to back this claim up I will explain why each holds the ranking that it does.
The mouth watering feeling when you bring hash browns home from Dunkin and they are sitting on the kitchen counter, waiting to be eaten, is nothing short of thrilling, which is why they are the third best way to eat a potato. Although that type of hash brown has a patty-like structure, it can be made shredded too.
“They are so crispy and so good, especially when matched with tomato sauce or ketchup,” sophomore David Guo said.
Hash browns bring warmth and satisfaction whatever the mood as they can be a comfort food for many. They pack a punch, and are a great addition to foods such as sausages, eggs, bacon, and more.
Although hash browns are tasty, they are incomparable to the dynamics of a potato chip. By far potato chips are the most reliable snack for any time of the day whether you’re snacking at midnight on a school day, eating them with a sandwich from the Linden Store, or crunching on them before a big game. This versatility is why potato chips are the second best way to eat a potato. The rewarding crunch and perfectly salty taste is an explosion in the mouth and an experience that’s simply incomparable.
“It’s so convenient to have a little bag on the go to open anytime, and it provides nice carbs for energy,” freshman Sloan Berry said.
Potato chips are a very versatile snack, and some of the best types include Lays, Ruffles, Pringles, or even homemade chips. There are many variations to the potato chip such as a sweet barbeque flavor, salt and vinegar, or a spicy jalapeno.
Though the ease of potato chips can be favorable to many, others think this snack food has its cons.
“I don’t like potato chips because sometimes they can be too salty,” freshman Samuel Kerr-Jarrett said. “An example of this is Lays potato chips. My mouth gets really dry after eating them. Lays potato chips are disgusting.”
Although Kerr-Jarret has a valid taste preference, the salt is a key ingredient in the chips. It can enhance the taste, especially if there is an additional flavor like barbecue to the chip. If the chip lacks flavor, it lacks “oomph.”
All in all, potato chips are delectable because of their great taste and unbeatable convenience.
Number one on the list, however, is fries, a dish that cannot be beaten because of how much it has to offer. Not only is it the most flexible potato dish; it offers many different variations when served.
There are multiple types of fries such as curly fries, smiley fries, waffle fries, French fries, and much more. They’re served in different ways, including as part of Canadian poutine, as masala chips, or in a Mediterranean gyro. Almost every culture has adopted the fry into various dishes, making it the most universally popular option for potatoes.
Furthemore, the crunch and fillingness of the fry is beyond perfection. The savoriness and crispy texture is something out of this world.
Unfortunately, some think that fries are not up to par.
“I think fries are too plain, they lack taste,” senior Priscilla Wood said. “An example of this is school fries, which are a bit soggy and not crispy.”
As the school isn’t able to fry their potatoes due to state restrictions on school lunch nutrition, Wood has a good point; However the quality of all fries shouldn’t be judged by this poor imitation. While a plain potato fry can be ordinary without additions, many condiments and additions elevate fries and allow everyone to enjoy some variety of this staple. For example, cheese on fries will make the dish a lot more scrumptious, filling, and fun to eat. Or if sauce is a better option, garlic aioli is a unique dipping alternative. Of course, fries are usually paired with ketchup or even mustard, which add a contrasting flavor. Even without additions, fries are appetizing, with the texture and crunch giving your mouth a delicious delight.
Nothing can go wrong with all these dishes, as they’re easy to make or buy, very tasty, and leave a satisfying impression on our stomachs.
“I wholeheartedly agree with your ranking,” junior Sammy Regleman said. “Fries are a very crunchy and delicious potato snack that you can have in restaurants, that can be served with dishes such as steak, and that provide a wonderful flavor in your mouth. Potato chips are very crunchy and very tasty and a solid option for a potato dish. Although hash browns are third, I still enjoy eating them.”