It’s a universal truth that potatoes can do no wrong. To quote the legend that is Samwise Gamgee, ‘Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew.’ There’s virtually no dish, cuisine or situation that can’t be improved upon by adding some potatoes to the mix. But there is one part of these gorgeous being that often gets left by the wayside in recipes and those are the potato skins.
It’s habit to just peel a potato and dump out the skins, but we’re here to tell you that by doing that, you’re seriously missing out. Plus, if you’re keen on embracing a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle, this is a quick and delicious step towards achieving that goal.
In fact, potato peels are actually a better source of vitamins and fibre than potatoes themselves. Potato skins are actually rich in nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin C, copper, iron, calcium, etc. Furthermore, they are naturally fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free.
You can roast potato skins with any toppings of your choice, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sea Salt. Simple and delicious
- Chaat Masala for a desi twist
- Smoked Paprika (with a little salt) or a dash of cayenne for spice.
- Rosemary (and garlic powder)
- Spice Fest with Chilli powder, chilli flakes, cayenne pepper, or peri seasoning.
- Truffle oil if you’re feeling fancy
- Salt and Vinegar, an eternal classic
- Cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat
Ingredients:
- 1 cup potato peels use more or less depending on how much you want to make
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Method:
- Thoroughly clean the potatoes to remove any dirt, eyes, or blemishes.
- Peel the potatoes with vegetable peeler trying to get long, even strips wherever possible.
- Soak the peels for 30 minutes in cold water to help remove the excess starch.
- Rinse the peels and then dry them thoroughly. The drier they get, the crispier they’ll bake.
- Spread the skins in a single layer on your baking sheet and drizzle lightly with oil.
- Add your seasonings of choice and toss the skins well to coat them. You can also do this after they’re baked if you think your seasonings will burn.
- Bake the potato skin chips in the oven for 15-18 minutes at 200ºC.
- For even crispier results grill them for a further few minutes in the end.