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What potato dishes look like in 24 places around the world

Nasha Smith,Carolina Gazal   

What potato dishes look like in 24 places around the world
Potatoes of all shapes and sizes are used to make delicious dishes around the world.Marian Weyo/Shutterstock
  • From Ireland to Canada, many cultures have a unique twist on potato dishes.
  • The versatile starch is mashed with bacon in Denmark and stacked with meat in a pie form in the UK.

Whether you like them baked, mashed, fried, or boiled, there's a potato dish for just about every taste.

Here's how countries around the world like to enjoy spuds.

Poutine is a Canadian classic.

Poutine is a Canadian classic.
Poutine starts with fries smothered in gravy.      Michael L Brown/Shutterstock

Poutine is a French-Canadian classic from Quebec.

It's a delectable concoction of french fries and cheese curds, all smothered in gravy.

The Canadian food blog Seasons and Suppers says the key to poutine is authentic, white cheese curds and a mix of beef and chicken stock in the gravy.

Chilean chorrillana is great for sharing.

Chilean chorrillana is great for sharing.
Chorrillana is loaded with meat, eggs, and onions.      Fanfo/Shutterstock

Like poutine, Chile's chorrillana puts an even more delicious twist on french fries.

There are many variations of this dish. Some include scrambled eggs, and others might add chorizo sausage to the potatoes.

Traditionally, toppings include fried eggs, meat, and caramelized onions. Because it is usually a large serving, chorrillana is perfect for sharing.

Denmark's brændende kærlighed is a dreamy twist on mashed potatoes.

Denmark
Also known as "burning love,''" this dish is creamy and savory.      AS Food studio/Shutterstock

Brændende kærlighed translates to something along the lines of "burning love." It's meant to be served piping hot and is a great comfort meal for cold winter nights.

The dish mainly consists of mashed potatoes with an onion and bacon mixture, sprinkled with chopped parsley and pickled beets.

Duchess potatoes from France are elegant and delicious.

Duchess potatoes from France are elegant and delicious.
Duchess potatoes are a popular side dish.      travellight/Shutterstock

Mashed potatoes take a classy turn in these savory French swirls.

The exact origins of these artsy potatoes are unknown. However, some believe they were made for an unnamed British duchess who visited France.

After mashing and piping potatoes, they're covered with an egg wash before going in the oven for a golden hint of color.

Irish Colcannon is a traditional dish.

Irish Colcannon is a traditional dish.
Colcannon, a traditional Irish dish, is a fun twist on mashed potatoes.      Slawomir Fajer/Shutterstock

Long before kale became trendy in America, Ireland was mixing it up with mashed potatoes, salt, pepper, and onions in this traditional meal.

There are several recipes and variations of this dish. A common take involves softened savoy cabbage with garlic and leeks for extra depth.

The comfort meal is topped with butter and scallions.

In Italy, gnocchi are tiny potato dumplings.

In Italy, gnocchi are tiny potato dumplings.
Gnocchi can be topped with a variety of sauces.      Bartosz Luczak/Shutterstock

Gnocchi is one of the many delicious pasta dishes Italy is famous for. The small dumplings are made from potatoes and served primarily with tomato sauce.

Although many regions of Northern Italy claim the origins of gnocchi, it can be found across all corners of the globe.

Gamja jeon is a potato pancake from Korea.

Gamja jeon is a potato pancake from Korea.
It's made with grated potatoes.      TMON/ Shutterstock

Gamja jeon, a Korean-styled pancake, is made by deep-frying grated potatoes.

You can easily whip up this pancake by blending potatoes in a food processor and adding in garlic chives, scallions, chili peppers, or zucchini.

It is usually accompanied by a sauce called cho ganjang, made from soy sauce and vinegar.

Saag Aloo is a North Indian curry dish.

Saag Aloo is a North Indian curry dish.
Saag Aloo is sometimes served with rice.      Robert Briggs/Shutterstock

Saag aloo is a traditional north-Indian Punjabi curry made with leafy greens and potatoes.

It's warm, comforting, and packed with nutrients.

Salchipapas are a popular street food in Peru.

Salchipapas are a popular street food in Peru.
Several South American countries enjoy salchipapas.      Evgeniy Lee/Shutterstock

The popular Peruvian street food combines sliced sausages and french fries with a helping of coleslaw on the side.

Sources say the dish had humble origins and was commonly known as a poor man's dish. The name comes from the dish's main ingredients, salchicha (sausage) and papas (potatoes).

Sauces and garnishes, like mayonnaise, aji, ketchup, or mustard, are optional.

Pierogis from Poland are a staple.

Pierogis from Poland are a staple.
Pierogis are very popular in Poland.      Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

The word pierogi first appeared in Polish cookbooks and literature in the late 17th century.

It is often said that making the dough for the Polish potato dumplings can be the hardest part.

Clapshot from Scotland is a simple, tasty dish.

Clapshot from Scotland is a simple, tasty dish.
Clapshot is made with turnips.      Fanfo/ Shutterstock

Clapshot seems to have originated in the islands of Orkney.

Simply boil turnips and potatoes, mash them, and mix all the ingredients with butter. This take on mashed potato can also include chives and onions.

Tortilla Española is a Spanish egg treat.

Tortilla Española is a Spanish egg treat.
This dish can be served hot or cold.      etorres/Shutterstock

Tortilla Española, sort of like a potato omelet, is a popular Spanish tapa.

It's usually made with eggs, potatoes, olive oil, and sometimes onion.

To make the best tortilla, season the eggs prior to cooking, gently cook the potatoes in olive oil, and flip the eggs to ensure even cooking.

Sweden's Jansson's Temptation is a tasty casserole.

Sweden
This decadent casserole is stuffed with anchovies.      maroke/Shutterstock

Jansson's Temptation, a beloved casserole in Sweden, is essentially scalloped potatoes.

Potatoes are sliced thinly and alternated with onions, pickled sprats, salt, and pepper then coated in cream and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs before baking.

Rösti from Switzerland is a crispy potato fritter.

Rösti from Switzerland is a crispy potato fritter.
This Swiss dish can be enjoyed for breakfast.      hlphoto/Shutterstock

Rösti has roots in Switzerland. It's made of fried grated potatoes often topped with an egg, bacon, and sometimes cheese.

The crispy hash pairs well with spinach for breakfast.

Shepherd's pie is a classic meal in the UK.

Shepherd
It's got a scrumptious potato crust.      hlphoto/Shutterstock

Lamb or beef makes up the bulk of traditional UK shepherd's pies. They're then covered in a crust of potato and cheese.

Sources say it was originally a way to repurpose leftover meat, but it's now a popular comfort food on its own.

Greek lemoni patatas pair well with souvlaki or roast lamb.

Greek lemoni patatas pair well with souvlaki or roast lamb.
Lemon potatoes pair well with Greek salad, too.      Toasted Pictures/Shutterstock

The secret ingredient in traditional lemoni patatas is semolina flour. It adds a nice kick and crunch to the final dish.

The potatoes absorb the moisture from the juices, creating a juicy, fluffy, and crispy potato topped with oregano.

Persian potato tahdig is a crispy saffron-infused dish.

Persian potato tahdig is a crispy saffron-infused dish.
The potatoes are cooked in the bottom of the pot.      bonchan/Shutterstock

Potato tahdig is a warm, hearty comfort dish hailing from Iran.

Potato slices are arranged in a mound in the pot, infused with saffron. After the rice is cooked with a bit of oil, the pot is overturned to reveal a stunning display of golden potatoes.

Curry potatoes are a filling side dish from Uganda.

Curry potatoes are a filling side dish from Uganda.
The ground turmeric gives this dish some heat.      Joe Gough/Shutterstock

Curry potatoes are a popular dish often served with stew.

The potatoes are typically enriched with spices like turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, chili sauce, tomato puree, and chopped parsley.

Peruvian causa rellena is stacked with chicken or tuna salad, aji, and mashed potatoes.

Peruvian causa rellena is stacked with chicken or tuna salad, aji, and mashed potatoes.
Causa rellena is often topped with black olives.      Maverick Fotografia/Shutterstock

Causa rellena is like a cold potato cake stuffed with salad, avocado, mayo, and tomatoes. It's then balanced out with a topping of black olives.

The dish seems to have been born out of the Pacific War of 1879 between Chile and Peru and Bolivia. The Peruvian army relied on potatoes and ate them "for the cause."

Afghani potato turnovers are known as bolani.

Afghani potato turnovers are known as bolani.
Enjoy bolani with green sauce.      creativefun/Shutterstock

Bolani is a traditional Afghan flatbread stuffed and baked with either spinach, pumpkin, red potato, or green-lentil filling.

It is often paired with a spicy cilantro chutney.

Latkes can be found around the world but originated in Eastern Europe.

Latkes can be found around the world but originated in Eastern Europe.
Latkes are crispy and delectable.      TalyaAL/Shutterstock

Classic potato latkes are made from hand-grated potatoes fried in oil.

The Hanukkah staple is said to have roots in an old Italian Jewish custom. The original latkes were made of deep-fried ricotta.

Bulgur and potato kufteh is a meatless Armenian dish.

Bulgur and potato kufteh is a meatless Armenian dish.
It can be enjoyed with lemon and served on lettuce.      BN OKUR/Shutterstock

The vegetarian potato dish is traditionally enjoyed during the Lenten season in the Catholic Church.

Made with fine bulgur, red-pepper paste, finely chopped peppers, boiled potatoes, parsley, and cumin, they're later mashed and rolled into a cigar-like shape.

They can be served wrapped in lettuce or grape leaves.

Stuffed buns, or pirozhki, are commonly found in Russian cuisine.

Stuffed buns, or pirozhki, are commonly found in Russian cuisine.
Pirozhki is also filled with minced meat.      Armushik/Shutterstock

Pirozhkis buns are typically stuffed with mashed potatoes and other fillings before being either baked or fried.

This dish is often served with a garlic dip.

Rellenos de papas, or stuffed potato balls, are a common snack in Puerto Rico.

Rellenos de papas, or stuffed potato balls, are a common snack in Puerto Rico.
The mashed potato is stuffed with a ground-beef filling.      Joao Kanashiro/Shutterstock

Papas rellenas are essentially mashed-potato croquettes that are stuffed with picadillo or ground-beef hash and fried.

The warm dish is a filling appetizer or snack.

This story was originally published in July 2018 and most recently updated on November 7, 2024.

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