Hash browns


Hash browns, also spelled hashed browns, are a popular American breakfast dish consisting of pan-fried shredded, diced, julienned or riced potatoes; some recipes add diced or chopped onions. Hash browns first started appearing on breakfast menus in New York City in the 1890s. Hash browns are a staple breakfast food at diners in North America, where they are often fried on a large common cooktop or grill.
In some parts of the United States, hash browns strictly refer to shredded or riced pan-fried potatoes, while diced and pan-fried potatoes are called country fried potatoes or home fries and are served as a side dish at other meals.
Hash browns are a popular mass-produced product sold in refrigerated, frozen and dehydrated forms.

History

Originally, the full name of the dish was "hashed brown potatoes", of which the first known mention is by American food author Maria Parloa in her 1887 Kitchen Companion, where she describes the dish of "hashed and browned potatoes" as a fried mixture of cold boiled potatoes which is folded "like an omelet" before serving. The name was gradually shortened to 'hash brown potatoes'.

Etymology

The word "hash" is derived from the French word "hacher" which means to hack or chop. This means hashed browned potatoes literally translates to "chopped and fried potatoes".

Preparation

A chef may prepare hash browns by forming riced potatoes into patties before frying with onions ; however, if a binding agent is added, such a preparation constitutes a potato pancake. Frozen hash browns are sometimes made into patty form for ease of handling, and the compact, flat shape can also be cooked in a toaster oven or toaster. If a dish of hash browned potatoes incorporates chopped meat, leftovers, or other vegetables, it is more commonly referred to as hash.
hash brown
Hash browns are also manufactured as a dehydrated food, which is sometimes used by backpackers.