Every table spread for the holidays consists of staple dishes that we simply cannot do without. Christmas without gingerbread houses? Thanksgiving without turkey? Impossible. While these star dishes take the stage, there is one powerful behind-the-scenes player at hand, a resilient dish that has stood the test of time. For what it may often lack in visual attraction, it makes up for with its creamy, melt-in-the-mouth texture, its subtle nuttiness and its soothing, warm aroma. But just how did mashed potatoes become such a keystone species in the holiday ecosystem?
Courtesy of Flickr
Tracing back the key ingredient in mashed potatoes (take a guess at what that might be), we find ourselves in the icy Andes Mountains in Chile around 10,000 years ago. The nutritional value and robustness of the potato, able to withstand such harsh conditions, forced it as a staple into the South American diet, keeping the mountain dwelling communities stable while European nations, such as the Irish, crumbled under famine. However, the potato was not always edible. It started off as a small, bitter vegetable with toxins that made it hazardous to consume. By the time the Spanish arrived and conquered the Andeans in the mid-14th century, it had transformed into a more pleasant, totally edible vegetable, thanks to the selective breeding tactics of the Andes people.
From there, it was a fast track to fame for the potato. The Spanish had recognized its nutritional value and brought it to Europe, and though at first it was shunned (even outlawed in France from 1748-72), considered food for livestock and not fit for human consumption, its belly-filling, energizing qualities were undeniable and soon made it a smash hit. Everyone wanted their hands on the potato gold: the French, the English and, yes, the Irish. Now the potato is the third-most-consumed food source in the world, and people can’t seem to get enough of it.
But who mashed it first? The Andes people were thought to mash their potatoes and eat them, but the earliest verified appearance of mashed potatoes in history is in the 18th century from English author Hanna Glasse’s cookbook, “The Art of Cookery.” The simple wording of the recipe, once overly complicated and restricted to aristocracy, made it accessible to the common man and allowed for it to spread as far as it has today. Today, there are seemingly infinite varieties of the versatile mashed potato. Its simple base flavors allow it to mesh well with a plethora of ingredients, as seen with the Irish variety of mashed potato, the traditional Irish colcannon. It is the adaptability of the mashed potato, its warm disposition, that allowed it to sneak its way onto millions of dining tables every holiday season, and into our hearts as well.
The best thing about mashed potatoes is how personal they can be. You can make just about any modification to them, as long as they involve soft and creamy potatoes. This holiday season, try something new with your mashed potatoes. Add some new ingredients and make the recipe your own! Happy holidays!
A version of this article appeared on p. 14 of the November 17, 2022 version of the Daily Nexus.
FAQs
The Andes people were thought to mash their potatoes and eat them, but the earliest verified appearance of mashed potatoes in history is in the 18th century from English author Hanna Glasse's cookbook, “The Art of Cookery.” The simple wording of the recipe, once overly complicated and restricted to aristocracy, made it ...
What is an interesting fact about mashed potatoes? ›
Mashed potatoes are a staple in almost every Irish household, but the side dish has a long and storied history that has little to do with Ireland. They were first a staple for the Inca Empire, and for the Spaniards who conquered the Incas and remained in Latin America mining silver.
What is the history of the mashed potato dance? ›
The Mashed Potato is a dance move which was a popular dance craze of 1962. The dance move and mashed potato song were first made famous by James Brown in 1959 and used in his concerts regularly.
What is the history of the potato masher? ›
I suppose the first potato masher was a rock or smooth stone, followed by a hand-shaped masher made of wood. With the machine age, the wood masher evolved into a hand or machine-turned wooden mallet. In the mid to late 1800s, two masher types of the modern design we see today emerged.
What's the difference between smash and mash potatoes? ›
While some people might use the terms smash and mash interchangeably, they are not the same. 'Smash' is when you merely break something into pieces. However, "mash" means you reduce a food to a soft, pulpy mass.
What are the benefits of eating smashed potatoes? ›
Potatoes are a decent source of fiber, which can help you feel full longer. Fiber also can help prevent heart disease by keeping your cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. Potatoes are also rich in antioxidants that prevent diseases and vitamins that help your body function properly.
Is it OK to eat mashed potatoes everyday? ›
It is totally fine to eat potatoes every day. While how you prepare and cook potatoes and how much you eat could possibly impact your health, whole potatoes with skin are a nutritious vegetable with health benefits.
What are 3 historical facts about potatoes? ›
Potatoes were the first food ever to be grown in space. Potatoes are grown in all 50 states. The world's biggest potato weighed about as much as a small dog. In the 1800's, people traded potatoes for gold.
Are there any benefits to eating mashed potatoes? ›
In addition to carbohydrates — a needed energy source for your body and brain — potatoes contain a wealth of micronutrients. They're a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. As a bonus, potatoes are low in calories, contain no fat or cholesterol, and are sodium-free.
Why do they yell mashed potatoes? ›
This shout might be the worst of all. Mashed potato came from one golfer wanting his mum to spot him on TV. Andrew Widmar first shouted it at the 2011 Chevron World Challenge after Tiger hit a stinger.
Parmentier is responsible for coming up with a variety of preparations, and some food historians credit him with inventing the mashed potato during one of his potato preparation publicity stunts in 1771. Others point to the English, who mashed potatoes and served them with pan drippings in the 1600s.
Who made the first instant mashed potatoes? ›
Edward Anton Maria Asselbergs (1927–1996) was a Dutch-Canadian food chemist infamous for inventing the modern process of producing instant mashed potato flakes. He was raised in the Netherlands where he received his undergraduate degree, but fled to Canada with his family during the second World War.
Why did they throw mashed potatoes? ›
Two climate activists threw mashed potatoes on a glass-covered painting by the celebrated French Impressionist Claude Monet on Sunday inside a German museum, the latest art attack intended to draw attention to climate change.
What is the disadvantage of potato masher? ›
Advantages of using a potato masher include that it is very easy to use and that it takes up less counter space than a ricer. A disadvantage of using a potato masher over a ricer is it can produce an uneven mashed potato consistency.
What is a potato masher slang? ›
The distinctive appearance of the Stielhandgranate family has led to them being called "potato mashers" in British Army slang, and they remain one of the most easily recognized infantry weapons of the 20th century.
What is the meaning of smashed potatoes? ›
: potatoes that have been boiled and then made into a soft mass by crushing and beating.
What is the history behind potatoes? ›
The humble potato was domesticated in the South American Andes some 8,000 years ago and was only brought to Europe in the mid-1500s, from where it spread west and northwards, back to the Americas, and beyond.
What is the history of mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving? ›
Mashed potatoes, the most common way to enjoy potatoes at Thanksgiving, became an American staple in the 1700s. As far back as 1747, Americans were mashing up potatoes with butter, milk, salt, & cream. Ah, New Mexico's favorite vegetable & cultural icon, the majestic chile.
