Cook New Potatoes

New potatoes are potatoes that are harvested when they're still very young, before their sugar content has converted to starch. They're small with thin skins, and their flesh is smooth and creamy when cooked. New potatoes taste best when they're roasted or boiled, rather than fried. This article provides three methods for cooking new potatoes: pan-roasted, boiled, and crushed.

Steps

Pan-Roasted New Potatoes

  1. Gather your ingredients. You'll need the following ingredients to make delicious pan-roasted new potatoes:
    • 1 pound new potatoes
    • 2 Tablespoons butter
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
    • Salt and pepper
  2. Prepare the potatoes for roasting. Wash the potatoes with cold water, taking care to scrub off dirt and other debris. Cut each potato into bite sized pieces; for small potatoes, cutting each one in half should be sufficient.
    • Because the skin of new potatoes is so thin, there's no need to peel it.
    • Use a paring knife to cut off any bruised or pitted parts from the potatoes.
  3. Place the butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Allow the butter and oil to melt together.
    • Cast iron cookware is ideal for pan-roasting potatoes; since it retains heat so well without getting too hot, it creates a crispy outer crust on the potatoes.
  4. Place the potatoes cut side down into the pan. Cook until the potatoes are brown and crispy, about five minutes. Turn the potatoes so that each side gets brown.
  5. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Use tongs or a wooden spoon to toss the potatoes a bit, making sure they are covered on all sides with seasoning.
    • Add dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano if you'd like to flavor the potatoes.
    • Add chopped onion or garlic if you wish.
  6. Cover the pan with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium low and allow the potatoes to cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
    • Check the potatoes frequently to make sure they aren't overcooking.
    • If the potatoes absorb the butter and oil and seem to be drying out, add 1/4 cup water.
  7. Remove the potatoes from the pan. Serve as a side dish to accompany chicken, fish, or steak, or toss with arugula to make a salad.

Boiled New Potatoes

  1. Gather your ingredients. You'll need the following ingredients to make simple boiled new potatoes:
    • 1 pound new potatoes
    • Butter, for serving
    • Salt and pepper, for serving
  2. Wash the potatoes. Scrub off any dirt, and cut off bruised or pitted parts.
  3. Place the potatoes in a large pot. Set the pot under the faucet in your sink and add water to completely cover the potatoes.
    • Before placing the potatoes in the pot, using a sharp knife draw a thin line around the potato. Make sure you don't press it too hard. Just a thin line around the potato that divides the potato into 2 different segments.
  4. Cover the pot with a lid and place on the stove. Turn the burner to medium high.
  5. Bring the potatoes to a boil. Lower the temperature and cook on medium low for about fifteen minutes. The potatoes are finished cooking when they are tender when pierced with a fork.
    • Monitor the potatoes closely as they cook, so the water does not boil over the top of the pot.
  6. Strain the water from the pot. Pour the potatoes into a colander, or use the pot's lid to strain the water from the pot over the sink.
    • If you want to peel the potato, start by peeling the center where you drew a line before boiling it. Once you start peeling from the center, the skin automatically comes away.
  7. Place the potatoes in a bowl. Toss with pieces of butter and salt and pepper to taste.
    • Alternatively, slice the potatoes and use them to make Make Salad Nicoise.
    • Another option is to toss the potatoes with oils and spices and make a New Potato Salad.

Crushed New Potatoes

  1. Gather your ingredients. You'll need the following ingredients to make crushed new potatoes:
    • 1 pound new potatoes
    • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
    • Salt and pepper
    • Optional spices, butter and grated cheese
  2. Wash the potatoes. Scrub off any dirt, and cut off bruised or pitted parts.
  3. Place the potatoes in a pot. Place the pot under the faucet in your sink and add water to completely cover the potatoes.
  4. Bring the potatoes to a boil. Lower the temperature and cook on medium low until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes.
  5. While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Oil a baking sheet with olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
    • For easy cleanup, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil before oiling.
  6. Pour the cooked potatoes into a colander. Drain them well.
  7. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet. Arrange them so that none of them are touching. If the baking sheet gets too full, oil a second sheet.
  8. Use a potato masher to crush each potato. Don't completely mash them, just crush them from above so that the inside of the potato is exposed.
    • If you don't have a potato masher, use a large fork to crush each potato.
  9. Drizzle each potato with olive oil. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
    • If you like spicier potatoes, add cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder, and any spices of your choice.
    • For a richer dish, place a pat of butter on each potato.
    • Sprinkle each potato with grated cheddar or Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
  10. Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes. They're ready when they've turned a rich, golden brown.
  11. Finished.

Tips

  • New potatoes may also be added to a roast in the oven as it is cooking.

Things You'll Need

  • Scrub brush
  • Skillet
  • Pot with lid
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil (optional)

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Sources and Citations

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