Hash browns, also spelled hashed browns, are a popular American and British breakfast food, consisting of finely chopped potatoes that have been fried until browned. Hash browns first started appearing on breakfast menus in

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in the 1890s. Hash browns are a staple breakfast food at diners in North America, where they are often fried on a large common cooktop or grill. Hash browns are a popular

mass-produced Mass production, also known as flow production or continuous production, is the production of substantial amounts of standardized products in a constant flow, including and especially on assembly lines. Together with job production and ba ...

product sold in refrigerated, frozen and dehydrated forms.

History

Hash browns first started appearing on breakfast menus in New York City in the 1890s. Hash browns are a staple breakfast food at diners in North America, where they are often fried on a large common cooktop or grill.Slater, Nigel (November 4, 2006)
"Nigel Slater: Making a hash of it"
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''. Originally, the full name of the dish was "hashed brown potatoes" (or "hashed browned potatoes"), of which the first known mention is by American food author Maria Parloa (1843–1909) in her 1887 ''Kitchen Companion'', where she describes the dish of "hashed and browned potatoes" as a fried mixture of cold boiled potatoes which is folded "like an omelet" before serving. The name was gradually shortened to 'hash brown potatoes'.

Etymology

The word "hash" is derived from the French word "''hacher"'' which means to hack or chop. This means hashed browned potatoes literally translates to "chopped and fried potatoes".

Preparation

Matteos Sandwich Bar, Fitzrovia, London (8025911425)

A chef may prepare hash browns by either grating potato or forming riced potatoes into

patties A patty or burger (in British English) is a flattened, usually round, serving of ground meat and/or legumes, grains, vegetables, or meat alternatives. Patties are found in multiple cuisines throughout the world. In British and American En ...

before frying with onions (moisture and potato starch can hold them together); however, if a binding agent is added (egg or flour for example), such a preparation constitutes a potato pancake. Hash browns are sometimes made into patty form and frozen for ease of handling, and the compact, flat shape can also be cooked in a

toaster oven A toaster is a small electric appliance that uses radiant heat to brown sliced bread into toast. Types Pop-up toaster In pop-up or automatic toasters, a single vertical piece of bread is dropped into a slot on the top of the toaster ...

or toaster. For best results, in both cooking and flavor, it is recommended that hash browns be made using starchy potatoes such as

russet potato A russet potato is a type of potato that is large, with dark brown skin and few eyes. The flesh is white, dry, soft, and mealy, and it is suitable for baking, mashing, and french fries. Russet potatoes are also known as Idaho potatoes in the U ...

es. If a dish of hash browned potatoes incorporates chopped meat, leftovers, or other

vegetable Vegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers, fruits, stems, ...

s, it is more commonly referred to as '' hash''. Hash browns are also manufactured as a dehydrated food, which is sometimes used by backpackers. In some parts of the United States, ''hash browns'' strictly refer to shredded or riced pan-fried potatoes, while diced and pan-fried potatoes are called country fried potatoes or

home fries Home fries (US, Canada), house fries (US), American fries (US), fried potatoes (UK, Canada and regional US), Bratkartoffeln (German), bistro potatoes (southeastern US), or peasant potatoes are a type of basic potato dish made by pan- or skillet ...

and are served as a side dish at other meals. Some recipes add diced or chopped onions.

References

External links

United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes
(PDF) {{Potato dishes Deep fried foods Potato dishes Potato pancakes

History

Etymology

Preparation

See also

References

External links