Salt Potatoes

By John, 19 August, 2012
Description

Salt PotatoesSalt potatoes, a specialty of Syracuse, NY, are small potatoes boiled in heavy brine.  The higher boiling point of the water is said to result in a creamier texture approaching that of a baked potato. Of course, potatoes love salt anyway, so the simple combination of salted potatoes and melted butter is an enduring winner.

I make a point to get these every year at the annual Madison-Bouckville Antiques Fair. Its the only day of the year when I eat potatoes!

Yield
4 Servings
Preparation time
1 hour
Ingredients
2 c kosher salt
3 q Water (boiling)
2 lb boiling potatoes (small, new are OK)
1⁄2 c Butter (melted)
Instructions
  1. Bring the water to a boil and add the salt. Return to the boil.
  2. Boil the potatoes in brine until tender.
  3. Break apart and serve hot with melted butter.
Notes
They were invented in Syracuse by laborers at the brine works where table salt was produced. They would bring small utility-grade potatoes for their lunch and boil them in the brine that was being evaporated for salt.