This is another example of how simple foods made from just a few ingredients can be wonderfully satisfying. All you need are potatoes, salt, and water. These potatoes are a Central New York favorite and a tradition when we visit the family camp. The salty flavor goes great with cookouts and clambakes. We like to have them with barbecued ribs or Hoffman hot dogs.
Stories I’ve read and heard state that salt potatoes originated with Irish workers at the Syracuse Salt yards near Onondaga Lake about a century ago. Then in 1914, Hinerwadel’s starting bagging and selling salt potatoes. At the grocery stores in CNY, you can purchase bags of the little white potatoes with salt included and instructions right on the bag. I was informed that new red potatoes are not the correct potato for this dish, so look for the smallest new white potatoes that you can find.
According to Michael’s parents, their families used very, very small potatoes when they were growing up—no more than an inch—and you could eat one whole. Leave the skin on when you dunk them in butter so that you get that wonderful salty crunch. I even like them without butter, which of course makes them a low-fat treat.
- 4-1/2 pounds "B" size No. 2 white potatoes, 1"-2" (the size of a large gumball is a good estimate)
- 12 ounces salt
- 2 quarts water
- melted butter, for dipping
- Put potatoes in the pot and add water and salt. Boil until potatoes are fork tender. Drain the water and serve with melted butter.
8 quart pot
emily says
July 7, 2006 at 10:33 amOhh…I love these potatoes.
Andrea says
July 29, 2006 at 9:48 amI love the salty crunch, even without butter! I can eat them with about any kind of barbecue.
Judy says
August 8, 2008 at 7:50 pmCan salt potatoes be cooked in a crock pot>
Andrea says
August 8, 2008 at 9:57 pmHi Judy! I’ve never heard of cooking this type of salt potato in a crock pot, but I’ve heard of baking potatoes in salt in the crock pot. Is this what you were thinking of?
Judy says
August 9, 2008 at 4:18 amI was wondering about your recipe only doing them in the crockpot instead of on the stove in a pot.
Suzane Connors says
August 11, 2008 at 2:05 pmHad salt potatoes at Cols.Ohio’s Dublin Irish Festival – So Good! They made them with little red potatoes & had garlic & parsley in the melted butter
I needed to know the way to make the Brine. Thank-You
rose says
June 11, 2009 at 11:57 amWHEN WE SEE SALT POTATOES WE BUY THEM THEY ARE THE BEST