Potato cake

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Potato cake may refer to different preparations of potatoes.

Two Irwins Potato Cakes

U.S. hash brown potato scallop

In the U.S., the term commonly refers to a patty of hashed potatoes, a kind of hash brown. These are available pre-made and frozen in supermarkets and are served by many restaurants. In the southern U.S., the term often refers to potato pancakes. The term "potato cake" in the United Kingdom, however, refers to a savoury cake which is typically eaten raw - i.e. it refers to a food item that is quite different to a hash brown.

In Australia deep fried potato cakes are commonly sold in fish and chip shops and takeaway food shops. In New South Wales, they are usually referred to as "scallops" or potato scallops, however the term "potato cakes" is used across the Southern states of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The Potato Cake is also known as a Potato Scollop on Western Australia, and as a Potato Fritter in Queensland.

Potato scallops originate from northern England and are common in fish and chip shops there. This variant is normally a thick slice of potato, dipped in batter and fried, with no additional flavouring added except salt. Hash browns, which are also widely available, are distinctly different.

In New Zealand and Scotland, what are known as potato cakes in Australia are known as potato fritters and are of the same type as the English variant. They are very common in fish and chip shops and are often the cheapest item on the menu.

More rarely, the term may refer to a preparation of sliced potatoes baked in the form of scallops^[1] or an actual scallop made using potatoes or potato flour.^[2]

Scottish tattie scones and Lancashire potato cakes are made from mashed or reconstituted potato and flour and baked on a griddle. They are typically served fried with breakfast or as a snack with butter or margarine, although they are often served with other toppings such as baked beans, scrambled eggs, garlic butter or tomato ketchup.

Irish potato cakes are typically made from mashed potato and flour or baking soda, and are usually fried. It differs from boxty as boxty is made of raw potatoes whereas potato cake is made from cooked potatoes. In Ireland, potato cakes are typically known as potato bread, or spid bread and are served in traditional breakfasts along with soda bread and toast.

See also

Food portal

• Lefse
• Potato pancake

References