Potato patties: A sustainable twist on tradition

Though seemingly simple, potato patties have been the essence of culinary tradition and everyday life for years. They are a staple as an affordable and satisfying dinner option, especially valued during times of economic hardship.

The popularity of potato patties continues to grow, particularly now as we increasingly seek simple and quick dishes to prepare. Furthermore, potato patties make excellent use of leftover potatoes from the previous day, exemplifying the "zero waste" approach and sustainable cooking.

Boiling potatoes—you can use leftovers from dinner—are the base of potato patties. In addition to potatoes, you'll need hard mozzarella cheese or tofu, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings such as salt and pepper.

The patties can be enriched with various vegetables. For example, mushrooms, when added to the filling, will give the dish aroma and juiciness. You might also add fresh parsley or dill to bring more freshness to the dish. The vegan version can satisfy any food lover's palate.

The preparation of potato patties begins with boiling the potatoes (or using those leftovers from the previous day) and thoroughly mashing them. The key to perfect consistency is pressing the potatoes carefully through a ricer or grinding them in a grinder. Once the potatoes are mashed, add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.

The next step is to form the patties—they can be elongated or round. The prepared patties are first coated in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. The last step is to fry them in a pan or bake them in the oven.

What to serve potato patties with? Potato patties can be served in many different ways, adapting the taste to your preferences. This is an excellent base dish that can be easily modified. Adding grated carrots, courgettes, or mushrooms to the mixture will enhance its flavour and nutritional value.

You can also experiment with spices, for example, by adding curry or paprika to give the dish a more distinctive character. The patties can be served with traditional sauces, such as mushroom or tomato, or light yoghurt dips with garlic. They also pair well with salads made of fresh vegetables, which add a touch of lightness to the dish.