Syracuse Salt Potatoes - New Potatoes Boiled in a Salt Brine

[@saf2127]

"Margarine is not really food, so don't eat it, please." Reason #524352 why Chef John is the greatest!

[@IvanKala]

Margarine is just one molecule away from plastic. Check the price apart butter in store says manny things too.

[@tanithrosenbaum]

@@IvanKala Professional Chemist here. Mind telling me which "molecule" that would be? The price difference is because margarine is made from plant oil, which is significantly cheaper then dairy. Claiming margarine was worse because of the price is like saying "Lettuce is cheaper than steak, therefore steak is better for you". which is... lets say a questionable path of logic to follow.

[@4orrcountry]

Tanith: How about we simply educate instead? The truth is if you leave an open tub of margarine in the woods for one year, 100% of it will be untouched and intact a year later. Why? Because animals and bugs won't eat it, it won't evaporate and it can with stand any temperature that mother nature throws at it. With this in mind, why in God's name would anyone want to eat it?

[@gutterspeak]

​@tanithrosenbaum Yeah. It's because idiots fell for the butter industries lies.

[@mmills5951]

I grew up on margarine because we were poor and could not afford butter. Every now and then we got government butter with the government bologna.

[@AFriendlyWeirdo]

Pretty sure that trip to the Dead Sea was one of my favourite imaginary vacations. Glad you had fun as well, we should all do it again sometime.

[@alexciocca4451]

No Dead Sea I was there looking at the Dead Sea from 1500 feet from above it was a beautifully one of the outdoor sight a green and blue shivering body of water in the sunlight on Israel so I went down and went swimming . The Dead Sea is like the lowest spot on earth so you fear the sun , dont need suntan lotion, this is because there is so much atmosphere above you. Down at the level of the lake the water was a sickly gray murky looking pool. I went in . The water burned , floating was not cool the mud from the bottom was an ugly gray yuck. Then our guide said that’s all the sewage coming from Jordan I got out and went to one of the outdoor showers , again this being the , I think, the lowest spots on land, the water pressure almost knocked me down very cool . So go there have fun but take the lift up to the runes of a ancient place called “Masada” fancinating story

[@rihamy2nd]

I’m imagining that I’m there right now.

[@neverlistentome]

You people are sick! How can you go back after what happened to Paul? All that blood... (Or was I the only one with a tragic boating accident sub plot on my imaginary trip?)

[@orangefanization]

I’m from Long Island, but i now live in central NY 45 minutes from Syracuse. I have grown to love these little potatoes with melted butter with some grilled Hoffman hotdogs and Coneys!!

[@jesseruby6533]

I'm from Syracuse, and this just made me grin from ear to ear.

[@thelastdeadmouse]

FYI, the way it gets its creamy texture is the same reason you have to use so much salt. By putting in an enormous amount of salt, it raises the boiling point of the water above 212 F. There are starches in the potatoes that break down at this higher temperature that wouldn't with a normal boiled potato, and those starches breaking down is what gives the potatoes their creamy texture. That's why you can't just boil the potatoes and add salt with the butter afterward.

[@cruithne6021]

Cool.

[@CreamFreshCream]

Chef John should notice this comment! Thanks for posting mate!

[@palebears8913]

It's more like the brine prevents the potato from absorbing water.

[@pev_]

I think Pale Bears is right, because the boiling point only rises by a couple of degrees (about 2C max) which cannot have any noticeable effect on the breakdown of starch. But the high salinity reverses osmosis meaning that water actually comes out of the potato as can be seen by the slight shriveling of the potatoes :)

[@swagmonster6217]

They always get creamy

[@MegaEpicLlama]

My mum used to prepare a similar Colombian recipe. The only difference is that she added a couple of whole spring onions to the pot from the beginning. Chef John brings back good memories :) Definitely a good and simple recipe!!!

[@angelique82mon]

I moved to Syracuse 6 years ago and discovered these. I have introduced them to all my family in other states now. It’s so simple! Potatoes, salt, butter! Why are they so good!

[@LordM17]

From Syracuse, and live in Los Angeles...I drive to Syracuse and back again every summer, and one thing i make sure i bring back with me is at least 2 bags of salt potatoes.

[@leelaural]

we drive back east too....good idea....also going to stock up on Hoffmans, Sabretts, Sahlen hotdogs and if I can score some scraple, I'll do it...

[@Bekind79]

Where did my grandmom get this recipe, how would she have known I wish she was here so I I could ask her, I ate these as a kid and I swear to u, I always google and try to figure out how did my grandma get the salt on the potato when I saw her boiling it. It never occurred to me to dump tons of salt in the water. These are delicious! My granma made this with red small/medium potatoes, it's such a delicacy I am going downstairs after I post this comment to make some. She would put cracked pepper in the melted butter in a little cast iron pot. Wow thank u soooo much for sharing I wanna call my whole family and tell them I found the recipe! Omg

[@bloomingnut23]

Michelle Denise that's funny very common here in ny. Every BBQ or event has these.

[@victoriaa.4639]

Michelle Denise This is so heartwarming! ❤ Food always seems to bring people together. Your grandmother sounds like she was an innovative woman ❤

[@Oilofmercy]

How fun for you! so glad you found it.

[@mayamontenegro7119]

Aaawww how sweet... And did you actually get to do those potatoes???

[@sarahengelmezzo]

I'm from Rochester, and much like Syracuse, salt potatoes are essential for any cookout. They're practically required for any Boy Scout or church BBQ chicken dinner in the area.

[@prowlamongus]

As a native of the Syracuse area, thanks, Chef John! We can always use the positive press.

[@jcshaves]

I grew up 25 miles from Syracuse and grew up eating these all the time and still do. A great summer meal is Cornell chicken, corn on the cob, and salt potatoes. Leftovers make the best home fries the next day for breakfast.

[@mrsmonafrye]

This is my first ever experience with Chef John - and all I can say is, “THANK YOU ‼️ you make learning FUN!” ~Mona in Vermont

[@nikkygrl108]

I made these last night with some garlic brown butter to dip them in. They were AMAZING!! I've made a few of your recipes and they always come out really good. These were a bit hit! Thank you chef John!!

[@magicspider76]

Born in Syracuse. I love these. Thanks for the recipes.

[@chefmike9945]

Chef John, once again you proved that, you are the paradigm of the salt brine. Blessings ChefMike

[@cactusdress]

Only Chef John can make a video on how to boil potatoes and still make it interesting and worth watching and entertaining and fabulous.

[@mrlaxbro1717]

grew up in Syracuse. love these style of potato.

[@LuluPaperBird]

I'm from Syracuse and I love these so much. Its not summer without them

[@cepson]

You can also flatten them to about 1/2 inch thickness, paint a little vinegar and olive oil on them, then roast them for a few minutes until they start to show color. They kind of taste like salt and vinegar potato chips, only much, much better.

[@lightbox617]

In the Irish community I knew in the 1950's Syracuse, the only seasoning was salt, vinegar and beer. Whiskey was desert. I am allowed to say this. They were my family

[@JulieAFischer]

Except that's not Syracuse salt potatoes then :-)

[@nancyx591]

Ummm, different recipe .. these are Syracuse Salt Potatoes ...

[@jencira1837]

What the hell does that have to do with salt potatoes lol That’s just potatoes

[@carollollol]

Otherwise every hospital would have a baked potato wing. 🤣 THAT is why i love your cooking video's!

[@foodfanataholic]

In upstate NY, they sell the potatoes in a bag with the salt included, lol - for the truly lazy :) We usually just pour melted butter into the pot and toss and serve. Delicious,no matter how you do them.

[@Skyisaved]

Chef John is so wonderful and amazing that he could make a pb&j and we'd still all fangirl and praise him for his phenomenal culinary achievements.

[@srasm]

What am I suppose to do with my old, stale, hot water now!?

[@VEX_INC]

Dry it out! Salt is mined and/or collected from drying pools. Those pools have sea water in them that drys and gets collected. So dry it out, crush it in a mortar and pestle and presto! You got your own home made cosher salt!

[@srasm]

Genius.

[@gimpdoctor8362]

srasm dont dry it out by boiling or you'll just spend more on the heating than you would on 50 times as much salt

[@damianrhea8875]

Drink it. Bon Appetit! & Good Health!...

[@noctuaeflying]

Wear it as a cologne to attract potential mates. Duhh!

[@lisacornell1965]

These are a summer staple here in central NY. Make extra as these are excellent breakfast home fries the next morning and they also make the best potato salad the next day after being in the fridge over night.

[@swingcherry66]

I've never heard of this method of making potatoes! Excited to try it. Also you have an amazing sense of humor, your commentary always makes me laugh out loud at least a couple times per video!

[@bonnierodriguez3524]

Husband approved! :) Thank you I am new to your channel and my husband is very grateful we found your videos!

[@jakekraweckyj2801]

As kids we used to go to Tenerife, where this place would do suuuuuuper crunchy garlic chicken and salted potatoes. Found both recipes of Food Wishes and can't wait to replicate sometime!

[@deputyprepper4931]

I grew up in Syracuse "Cuse" and i alwys loved summer when we had salt potatoes, corn and burgers. Thanks for posting.

[@andrewt248]

"Margarine is not really food." That'll preach.

[@fkabici967]

+andrewt248 margarine is bae

[@welgaia]

+estomnetempus lolno

[@fkabici967]

+Alexandros Coldartz it's at least 6 times cheaper than butter, and tastes almost the same :P I bought butter once and it had a really strong flavour, I couldn't make shit with it :P

[@AlexK-wp9ie]

+estomnetempus us humans have been eating fat in man forms(butter) which is more natural to us since we have developed a way to digest that fat, but this new fake butter is chemically made although it may act similar it will not be healthy as our stomach is unfamiliar with this new butter that's been made by some scientist and our bodies won't digest it properly as normal butter would be able to

[@fkabici967]

+Alex Awesomepotatosauce dude, basic chemistry. margarine is not a rock, and even rocks can be digested to a degree :3 by your logic, anything that is natural is better than the evvill chemicals and scientists. So drink cranberry juice/tea instead of taking antibiotics. Don't drink cough syrups, eat honey and drink chamomile tea. Don't drink medicine, go all natural remedies. The world is changing. Butter is more expensive than margarine, at least 5-6 times, margarine is LOT more economical, is vegan, and it's also natural to some degree because it's made using plant oils :P There's a lot of margarine out there, try some. Not by any degree is butter bad, to me it just tastes really heavy :P

[@lightbox617]

I was borne in Syracuse in 1948. by the time i was 13, I was included in the brined potatoes summer ritual. Yes, Margarine. This was still shortly after WWII and margarine had (temporarily) completely replaced butter. This was only a side dish to the raw and steamed clams (about a gross for 4 to 6 people). The salt mining in Syracuse predates it Irish Immigrant/laborer community by almost 100 years. Syracuse was "the city of salt" until Arm and Hammer built the baking soda plant in Solvey creating a very large wast pool near Camillus. The Syracuse U. football team is still, "The Saltine Warriors."

[@lilyrosesoul0077]

Oh i see. Thank you for sharing :)

[@kaykayboy23]

The humor in this one!! Loved it!!

[@Peg-ee5ei]

I have been making salt potatoes for decades. But I have been doing it in Watertown New York, approximately 70 miles north of Syracuse. I have never before heard them called Syracuse salt potatoes. But it is the same recipe with the same ingredients and outcome. They are a very popular dish at summer BBQs cookouts.

[@grayghost4705]

Did some graduate work at Syracuse University and these potatoes are the very best! We have a family dinner coming up and salt potatoes will definitely be on the menu.

[@stonewallrussians]

Just made my first batch, thank you Chef John just as advertised and just as good as you said

[@ochikeron]

this looks very good. new potatoes are in season in japan, too :) i want to find small potatoes and try this. i was going to use cut potatoes if you didn't mention that. great.

[@juliegiang7137]

He said the membrane keeps too much salt from being absorbed...so probably skin-on is better.

[@grlanime13]

I wouldnt cut the potatoes then they would be way to salty

[@351cleavland]

Do not cut the potatoe or it will absorb too much salt.

[@dollisapi]

OMG, Ochikeron watching chef John, this is like a dream

[@lightsoutisay]

Julie G Yeah she knows, she saw the video lol

[@gailmills603]

I tried these potatoes for dinner tonight. They were even more delicious than I expected them to be.

[@seanreidy1420]

As a kid, growing up in Syracuse, I was introduced to salt potatoes at summer clam bakes. Not a fan of claims, but I would fill up on salt potatoes and burgers from the grill instead. Weagmans in NJ where I now live, sells bags of these potatoes, but this looks simple enough to make from scratch, so i need to try it! Thanks John.

[@albertloan396]

I had these growing up just north of Syracuse on the north shore of Oneida Lake. It was a staple of dinner and picnics, especially during summers, and the leftovers make excellent potato salad--which would be a great recipe to feature on Foodwishes, Chef John.

[@jpack1993]

I finally tried this tonight and wow it was delicious!! I made mine with chive and basil butter and also sour cream. Yum yum yum!!!!!!

[@MrKozbor]

I love all of your CNY recipes. Salt potatoes have been a staple amd family cookouts my entire life.

[@FLXBeerReviews]

Zweigles, Salt Potatoes, and a nice cold salad from wegmans! Perfect summer meal here in Canandaigua!

[@Qotastic]

Ahhhh! I grew up in Canandaigua, NY, but we moved to Pittsburgh 14 years ago. When I visit family I ALWAYS stop at Wegman's and buy bags of salt potatoes to bring home and give to friends. There is literally nothing better than these friggin' potatoes!!!!

[@b2succeed12]

Chef John you must have read my mind - just went to dinner at Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem last night and had a side I've never even heard of before...you guessed it, Syracuse Salt Potatoes. They were so amazing I said to my fiancé, "we have to figure out how to make these ourselves," and sure enough here you are to the rescue. Thanks!

[@jefferyschic]

Perfectly easy delicious recipe. I even take them and smash it flat and rub with roasted garlic/parm and broil off. Best of best

[@eadgarcia]

My mom used to make these every summer (grew up near Utica) and I had a feeling the recipe was simple but wanted to check a resource just in case! Thank you for sharing!

[@michaelstephens2986]

I grew up in western New York and have had these every summer along with corn on the cob (silver queen or butter and sugar varieties) and maybe a fresh cucumber and tomato salad. Yummmm

[@leadenebaker1722]

I love watching you on Food Wishes

[@bewareofwil]

I never knew this had a name. Thanks again Chef John, you double dipper.

[@hellostranger]

I absolutely love all of your potato recipes... droooooooooooooooooling

[@AgainEven]

Just subbed...hope you're the voice of all the vids :) You just sound so freakin' happy! This looks awesome, can't wait to give it a go!

[@AgainEven]

Wonderful! :) It's nice when someone has a pleasant voice. Btw ...the potatoes went over awesomely with the family :) I had never heard of these before, but the kiddos and the hubs all loved it! So easy, too!

[@vegasrenie]

He has the best voice! When I was describing one of the recipes to my son (I think it was this one), he started chuckling and said "you sound like Chef John!" My favorite food channel on KZbin, bar none.

[@AgainEven]

I know...so happy and calm...like the Bob Ross of the kitchen! lol Loving the recipes, too. SO tastey :)

[@AgainEven]

LoL This guy is awesome, made a couple of his goodies already, and all of my kids are happy with every one of them. I can't believe it, either, 'cause I got one kid that only knows one food group, MEAT!

[@luau5974]

The Bob Ross of the kitchen! Nailed it!!!! :) When you think of it, "the old tappa-tappa" is kinda the kitchen equivalent of "we're gonna draw some happy little bush, tap-tap-tap tap-tap" :)

[@itsjustrenee1320]

These are going on the menu this week. I made the lemon granita from that video and man o man, it was soooo good. Thank you.

[@rockwood666]

Best cooking channel. Period.

[@mike070354]

Ohh Sooo Good! I have used this recipe a few times and we love these potatoes every time1

[@Cookedbyjulie]

Syracuse, home sweet home :)

[@yusumnn2007]

I love the way u narrate.

[@Mind650]

New potatoes cooked in salted water. So simple, but look so so good!!! I'm gonna try this tonight.

[@gunman2a]

I made these this weekend, they are delicious! So simple, so good,

[@williamgardner2739]

My Mother and Grandmother have always boiled the potatoes in salt water, can`t think of any other way. It`s the traditional way to cook them in Scotland and Ireland. I am 81 yo and I still love them. ENJOY

[@jimsbarg]

Back in the 70's we went to the annual Vernon downs clam bake the salt potatoes were my favorite

[@vivarc2]

Cooked these up tonight! Phenomenal!

[@CTP1111]

These were goooood! Thanks as always Chef John!

[@Paxtez]

I made this, just a 1/2 batch. Was very good. This is totally be in my rotation from now on.

[@leeshoop4978]

brings me back to weekend cookouts, then there being leftover salt potatoes after making ten pounds of them. would always throw them in the microwave days later with some butter. so amazingly delicious.

[@cathoderaytube8]

Just had some of these bad boys tonight. Heinerwadel's Salt Potatoes are where its at. Mmm mmm mmm! Some other great NY foods are Grandma Brown's baked beans, Gianelli sausage, and Dinosaur BBQ to name a few! :D

[@maserin1]

OK, number 1, that looked like waaaaaaay more than a cup of salt. Number 2, I forgot how much I loved these when I was a kid and my mom would make them while my dad BBQ'd chicken and corn on the cob in the backyard. I totally remember the intense salt ring at the top of the pot. This is upstate NY potato gold... will be making these to compliment the at-home chicken wing preparation you just taught me!

[@TheDanielCorp]

I had never heard of these until now. I can't wait to try them.

[@happy17761492]

I like the way you talk sir. You the man.

[@zaluja4]

very good inspirational videos. this weekend i will be attempting a few. i not much on cooking but want to try a few of the recipes. you make seem easy the way you break them down and explain. thanks for the info.

[@WobblesandBean]

That's the beauty of these, it's literally, like, two steps - salt water. Boil water. Done. XD

[@merlottime1794]

I made this just now. Chef John. I love you. This was so delicious!!!

[@srvdukie]

Tried this. Easy. Sooo tasty and such a smooth consistency on the taters. Thanks for the recipe!

[@MrHoboVision]

Salty water boils at a higher temperature (this is why it takes longer to boil), so that may be why they turn out different. It has something to do with the sodium and chloride ions holding the water molecules together better than water does on its own, so it takes more heat to turn it into gas. Hopefully I'm remembering my chemistry correctly. So there's your science! I can't wait to try this.

[@dianemilligan3839]

I grew up on these ... YUM!!

[@VanityismyReligion]

This is veeeery close to a dish from Tenerife (Spanish island) called "papas arrugadas". They are traditionally cooked in seawater (super-salty and floaty) and after cooking you shake them in the hot pan until they become dusty-looking and wrinkly. They are served with cold sauces; mojo rojo (red garlic-pepper sauce) and/or mojo verde (green parsley or coriander sauce). Uber-delicious!!

[@R3troZone]

Having grown up in northern NY state, I can tell you that in the summer, these are a staple at every backyard cookout and weekend picnic from Syracuse all the way to the Canadian border. Also true NY style salt potatoes are white potatoes only, not red ones.

[@NoOneToNoOne89]

Careful, you can get banned from the internet by saying stuff like that.

[@yorkshirepuddingplease]

This is first time ever write a comment on KZbin :) Thank you chef John I tried this recipe and it was so goooood! It was like jacket potatoes not boiled potatoes which I prefer! Love your recipes and your happy happy voice xx

[@alsaigba]

I tried making this. Turned out delicious, especially the purple potatoes

[@zhinkachunmee2020]

LOVE THESE! we call them German salt taters, great-great grandmother, my great grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and now me have always made them this way! German food rocks!

[@ThatOneBitch69]

This is an Irish recipe.

[@zhinka1]

@@ThatOneBitch69 all recipes have many names, chill honey lolol

[@ThatOneBitch69]

@@zhinka1 I was Just pointing it out. You should take your own advice hun.

[@kimquinn7728]

Have been making these for years. Amazingly delicious!

[@chrisgaurissr1504]

Thanks John we love our salt potatoes here in Syracuse! Go Orange.

[@dahliasmith1]

Thanks Chef John ... Another one of my favorite Central NY foods... Speidies from Binghamton, Cornell Chicken from Ithaca and now.... Salt Potatoes from Syracuse. Summer is not really here yet without cookouts (you are always welcome to join us) and these dishes. Now how about a Hot Meatball Sub. You Rock!! A loyal fan....

[@Anna-loves-you]

Yummie, this reminds me of a vacation I made to the Canary Islands. On a boat trip we ate potatoes boiled in sea water, tasted great.

[@Geannie123]

You are the BEST!!! LOVE your videos!

[@lenah7093]

Wow, potatoes, salt and butter, love all three of those.. (and all ingredients I can actually afford too) Will try, thanks!

[@miyubail]

I love simple goodies like this. I will serve these potatoes real soon. You know if you boil them and coat them in an almost caramelized soy sauce and sugar mixture, they are great, too. Don't forget the sesame seeds.

[@KirilG1]

Thank you for sharing the truth about margarine with everybody! I am very surprised why people still buy this stuff!

[@steakwilliams4448]

KirilG1 my girlfriend buys country crock for some reason. I grew up on butter and didn't even know what country crock was. When I saw it I assumed it was some kind of whipped, spreadable butter. I was looking to see if it was salted or unsalted and noticed the word butter was mysteriously absent from all the little marketing things written on the tub. It then dawned on me I was holding margarine. I thought "what a crock" then realized it's called country crock and started cracking up. How can you take your business seriously if your product is fake butter called country crock? How did that ever make it to the market? No one will ever know...

[@drfearsgirl]

I have never heard of these but I'll have to try them now. I absolutely love those toothpicks.

[@thetwistedsamurai]

i love you so much for saying margarine isnt a food

[@wendyslaby3373]

thank you, I have eaten these my whole life but no longer live where they have the salt packet in the bag so I have struggled to figure out the salt amount. Now I know. FYI my family usually also has clams with them. I have no idea why but it is a summer tradition.

[@BarnabyPerrinAldous]

I remember having potatoes boiled in sea water once, in Lanzarote. A great food memory :)

[@chefkendranguyen]

Looks really tasty, Chef.

[@jiranma]

Just tried this and is so good. Texture of the potato inside is like baked potatoes, but the light crusting of salt makes it so special. Nice! Am now wondering if I could flavor the water with salt and something else to make it even more interesting? Suggestions, chef?

[@gray5627]

My favorite potato "dish!" Love salt potatoes!! Thanks for sharing. :-)

[@lynnseykat8585]

I love the idea of something new to taste, i think chef john should make new creations more often.

[@pokerslob8175]

I'm not sure why, but boiling the water first and then adding the potatoes seems to work out better. I'm a Syracuse native and have been eating these little tasty treats for decades. You really have to use baby new potatoes for this recipe. Other small potatoes such as fingerlings just don't work as well. They won't be nearly as creamy and that's really what you want here.

[@WobblesandBean]

I can't believe I'd never heard of these until now. The crisp skin, the "pop" of the potato as you bite down and that creamy center, oh my gosh...it's almost like potato caviar!

[@Emimilykity]

I LOOOOVEEEE honey gold potatoes. They cook so easy. Toss them with some good olive oil, salt, and pepper then throw in the toaster oven for like 10 minutes or until tender at 375. SO YUMMY.

[@bohnstube]

Pair these babies up w/ some incredible BBQ from Dinosaur or a Spiedie sandwich (the original lamb please, if you're sticking to the classic, or pork, beef, or chicken will also hit the mark) and a brew from a great upstate NY brewery such as Saranac, Southern Tier, or Ommegang, and you've got the start of an incredible Upstate New York summer party going on right there, baby!

[@tvormwald]

Salt potatoes are always a great add to any meal!

[@javiertw89]

It's very nice to watch your videos, I enjoy them very much. Thanks for making them!

[@dbonet22]

Tried this the other day after watching. They were soooo good! Thanks!

[@adamkazort2259]

I have used this technique and it makes people rave ....Thanks Chef John for all your inspiration!

[@WobblesandBean]

Ever since I subscribed to this channel I've become a hero in the kitchen!