PATATE as a contorno (Two recipes for ‘squashed’ potatoes).

Last week’s post mentioned patate in teccia, a perfect accompaniment for vitello arrosto (veal roast). In fact in Trieste where this recipe is common, it can be the perfect contorno to accompany many other hot main courses which have a little gravy or juice.

In teccia is triestino (dialect used in Trieste) for cooked in a pan.

Patate schiacciate,  means ‘squashed potatoes’. I was away with friends over the weekend and one of my friends cooked these potatoes (see photo). He was surprised that I too knew them as ‘squashed' and that they are cooked in various parts of Italy.

Here are two recipes for 'squashed' potatoes.

PATATE IN TECCIA (Trieste)

INGREDIENTS

potatoes 600g

onion, 1 large 

extra virgin olive oil, 6 tablespoon 

salt and pepper to taste

PROCESSES

Place whole, un-peeled potatoes in cold water and boil until cooked. Drain them. 

In Trieste the potatoes are peeled and squashed into smaller, uneven sections. I sauté the potatoes un-peeled (and not forgiven).

Sauté and soften the onion till they are a light golden colour. 

Add the potatoes and cook on medium heat until they begin to colour (form a crust) on the bottom. Stir them continually so that they can continue to colour (this process will take about 10 minutes).

PATATE SCHIACCIATE

INGREDIENTS

potatoes 600g 

extra virgin olive oil, 6 tablespoon 

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oven to 200 C 

Place whole, un-peeled potatoes in cold water and boil until cooked. Drain them. 

Position potatoes in a well-oiled baking pan (not-overlapping) and squash them with the palm of the hand (or a cup).

Dribble with the remaining oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake the potatoes for about 20 minutes till golden (have formed a crust) and serve. 

MA2SBAE8REVW