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The holiday season is here, and it’s time to break out your favorite potato recipes. Potatoes are a hearty, nutritious side dish that complements just about any meal. In fact, potatoes have a rich history as a holiday dinner staple throughout many cultures and nationalities.
Your friends and family will undoubtedly want potatoes on their plates this holiday season, so we’re here to provide inspiration for your dinner menu. From tried-and-true classics to international favorites, there’s a festive potato dish to please every palate. Let’s explore the potato’s role in holiday meals, the reasons why you should include potatoes in your celebrations, and some of the best potato dishes that will make your meal shine.
Potatoes play a significant role in holiday traditions across many cultures. Here’s a look at the variety of ways some different religions, cultures, and nationalities incorporate potatoes in their holiday meals. You may even find a new way to prepare potatoes this year.
Many people would agree that Christmas dinner isn’t complete without potatoes! If you celebrate Christmas, you’ve likely enjoyed one of these delicious potato dishes during your family’s holiday meal:
There’s a longstanding Jewish tradition of eating foods cooked in oil during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle that inspired the holiday. When the Syrian Greeks destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., a tiny drop of oil kept the candles in the Temple lit for eight nights, leading to the eight-day holiday we celebrate today.
Potato latkes have become one of the signature dishes prepared during Hanukkah. Grated potatoes are mixed with onions, eggs, and flour, then fried in oil for a savory treat commonly served with sour cream or apple sauce.
The versatility of potatoes makes them a staple of Muslim holiday meals during Ramadan. You’ll see them appear in a variety of formats:
Potatoes, called aloo in South Asia, are a staple in many Indian dishes, especially those eaten during the festival of lights. Diwali is a five-day celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, and one of the most significant holidays in India. Traditional potato dishes that can be served during Diwali include:
Potatoes play a significant role in traditional Irish holiday meals, reflecting the vegetable’s deep-rooted cultural and historical significance in Ireland. Potatoes often appear in Irish Christmas dinners and also feature prominently in many dishes for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Common traditional Irish potato dishes cooked over the holidays include:
Potatoes make an appearance in a variety of traditional Christmas meals around the world. Some of the more distinctive international Christmas potato dishes include:
There are several reasons why potatoes make an appearance at holiday meals in all cultures around the world and why you should include them as part of your Christmas dinner:
The versatility of potatoes means there are limitless ways to prepare them for your Christmas dinner. Have fun experimenting with new flavors or grab our tips and tricks to perfect your traditional recipes.
Now, you may be wondering what entrees will go best with your preferred potato dish. These main course/potato pairings are sure to be a hit with your guests:
No matter how you choose to enjoy potatoes this holiday season, be sure to make enough for seconds!
We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for a new potato recipe for your family Christmas dinner this year. Browse our classic holiday recipes below to find one that will dazzle your guests this holiday season:
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