Hash browns facts for kids
.jpg)
Shredded hash browns, pictured with slider sandwiches
|
|||||||
| Alternative names | Hashed brown potatoes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course | side dish | ||||||
| Created by | United States | ||||||
| Invented | 1895 | ||||||
| Main ingredients | Potato | ||||||
| 326 kcal (1365 kJ) | |||||||
|
|||||||
Hash browns, also called hashed browns, are a very popular breakfast food. They are made from potatoes that are finely chopped. These chopped potatoes are then fried until they turn golden brown.
Hash browns are a common breakfast item in both America and Britain. You can often find them at diners in North America. Here, they are usually cooked on a large, flat grill. Hash browns are also sold in stores in many forms, like refrigerated, frozen, or even dried.
The Story of Hash Browns
Hash browns first appeared on breakfast menus in New York City in the 1890s. They quickly became a favorite. Before this, a similar potato dish called Rösti was already popular in other places.
The full name for this dish was originally "hashed brown potatoes." The first time we know of it being mentioned was in 1887. An American food writer named Maria Parloa wrote about it in her book Kitchen Companion. She described "hashed and browned potatoes" as a fried mix of cold, boiled potatoes. She said they were folded "like an omelet" before being served. Over time, the name became shorter, turning into "hash brown potatoes" and then just "hash browns."
What "Hash" Means
The word "hash" comes from the French word "hacher." This word means to hack or to chop something into small pieces. So, when you say "hashed browned potatoes," it literally means "chopped and fried potatoes." This name perfectly describes how hash browns are made.
How Hash Browns Are Made
.jpg)
Chefs usually make hash browns by grating potatoes. Sometimes, they form the grated potatoes into small patties. These are then fried, often with onions. The natural moisture and starch in the potato help the pieces stick together. If you add things like egg or flour, the dish becomes more like a Potato pancake.
Many hash browns are made into patty shapes and frozen. This makes them easy to handle and cook. You can even cook these flat, compact shapes in a toaster oven or a toaster. For the best taste and cooking results, it's good to use starchy potatoes, like russet potatoes.
Sometimes, people add chopped meat, leftovers, or other vegetables to a potato dish. If they do, it's usually called hash instead of hash browns. Hash browns are also made as a dehydrated food. This dried form is sometimes used by backpackers because it's light and easy to carry.
In some parts of the United States, "hash browns" means only shredded or riced potatoes that are pan-fried. If the potatoes are diced and pan-fried, they might be called "country fried potatoes" or home fries. These are often served as a side dish with other meals. Some recipes also include diced or chopped onions for extra flavor.
See also
In Spanish: Hash browns para niños
