# Home Fries: Peel the potatos or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 9, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405 "2005-10-09T14:59:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/21 "2017-10-18T21:42:45Z")
The fact that the link is dead might be because this a 10+ year old thread! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/22 "2017-10-18T22:36:53Z")
Hell, I don’t even peel my mashed potatoes 95% of the time. So definite “no” for me. I may take the little scoop on the edge of a potato peeler to pop out some of the “eyes,” though. And, minus McDonald’s fries, I like my fast-food fries unpeeled. And McDonald’s fries would probably be even better unpeeled. Yes, I enjoy the peel. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/23 "2017-10-18T22:45:47Z")
Here’s how mashed potatoes are made: I’m sure _many_ have seen it done like this: Bake the potato. Slice off one end. Scoop out the insides, leaving the skin intact (except for the sliced-off top of course). Mash the insides, adding whatever ingredients one adds to mashed potatoes. Stuff the mashed potatoes back into the skin. There should be enough to fill the skin with a little more sticking out, rounded, at the top. Like a mashed-potato ice-cream cone. Serve. The skin should be crunchy, of course! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/24 "2017-10-18T22:48:33Z")
I did notice that two posters mentioned that they peeled regular potatoes but not if the potatoes were organic. Why not?? To me organic very possibly has been fertilized with manure, not nitrogen, potash, or whatever. I’d rather eat potato skins grown with a non-organic fertilizer than potato skins that have been sitting in crap. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/25 "2017-10-19T01:25:00Z")
I don’t have a preference and I’ve done them both ways. Lately, I’ve been peeling because I’ve not been thrilled with the potatoes I’ve been getting. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/26 "2017-10-19T02:06:53Z")
> [@Phil\_C](#): > > Your source, the Washington State Potato Commission (dead link), is/was simply wrong on that point. During World War II the German government produced public-service announcements for housewives to cook and serve potatoes whole, as there is a layer of high-quality protein just under the skin. This was crucial to a civilian population suffering from food shortages, especially meat and fat. That protein is not found in the core of the spud. Moreover, the skin is a source of dietary fiber, which is not present in the core. Discarding the skin and protein layer is foolish. > > The fact that the link is dead may indicate that they eventually recognized the information on that page was faulty. You are [somewhat correct](http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/skin-potato-really-vitamins-5378.html). > [@](#): > > A potato skin contains significant nutrients, but so does the flesh, and determining which one has more isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. Potatoes are a rich source of fiber, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B-6, but to get the most nutrients you’ll need to eat the whole potato. The skin contributes more of some nutrients while the flesh has more of others. The fiber in the skin is not all that significant, containing about 1g of fiber, while the whole potato is high in potassium and vitamin C. [Potato skin nutrients](https://www.eatthismuch.com/food/view/potato-skin,2100/). [Whole potato nutrients](https://www.potatogoodness.com/nutrition/). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/27 "2017-10-19T02:25:26Z")
I prefer my fries with the skin on. I want all the nutrients from the potato. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/28 "2017-10-19T02:36:10Z")
Don’t make home fries; make Swiss roesti! It’s the best of both possible worlds between home fries and potato latkes! > **[Rösti](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%B6sti)** > > Rösti or rööschti (Alemannic German: \[ˈrøːʃti\]) is a Swiss dish consisting mainly of potatoes, sautéed or shallow-fried in a pan. It was originally a breakfast dish, commonly eaten by farmers in the canton of Bern, but is now eaten all over Switzerland and around the world. The French name röstis bernois directly refers to the dish's origins. > Many Swiss people consider rösti to be a national dish. Rather than considering it a complete breakfast, lunch or dinner, it is more commonly served to ac... ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/29 "2017-10-19T03:10:33Z")
Carrots don’t have peels. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/30 "2017-10-19T04:30:07Z")
I never peel potatoes unless I’m making vichysoisse, chowder, or a certain type of mashed potato. So, yes, when I make fries every now and then, I leave the skins on. For potato salad I do peel them unless they are red potatoes–which I use most of the time. We love potato skins. ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/31 "2017-10-19T10:59:42Z")
Unpeeled. And for my home fries, I don’t slice them; I use the little potatoes, and just smash them up some with the side of a cleaver. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/32 "2017-10-19T13:49:15Z")
> [@Khendrask](#): > > Unpeeled. And for my home fries, I don’t slice them; I use the little potatoes, and just smash them up some with the side of a cleaver. What do you mean? Do you crush them a little (or a lot) under the flat of the blade or do you hit them with the edge of the cleaver? ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/33 "2017-10-19T14:03:11Z")
If I understand the topic, unpeeled, definitely. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/34 "2017-10-19T14:11:37Z")
I rarely peel any potato. Even when I make mashed potatoes I leave some of the peel. The skin is the best part of a baked potato. My mom would always peel carrots. Not me. I figure it’s one less step and I’m not even sure what she was peeling off! I agree with another poster; why do people think that they can actually get the germs or whatever off of produce by rinsing?!! If there’s actual dirt I’ll rinse it off. I worry more about everyone from pickers to store employees to customers handling the produce with germy hands. Unless you scrubbed every berry, grape, etc with a disinfectant you could never properly clean produce. So I choose to not think about it…too much. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/35 "2017-10-19T14:39:59Z")
> [@jerez](#): > > What do you mean? Do you crush them a little (or a lot) under the flat of the blade or do you hit them with the edge of the cleaver? It sounds a little bit like what is sometimes known as [smashed potatoes](http://damndelicious.net/2014/02/14/garlic-smashed-potatoes/), but I’m not entirely sure, as they’re pretty distinct from home fries. They are, indeed, excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/36 "2017-10-19T14:46:07Z")
I don’t care whether the nutrients are in the skin or the flesh. The skin is the yummy part. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/37 "2017-10-19T15:03:35Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I rarely peel any potato. Even when I make mashed potatoes I leave some of the peel. The skin is the best part of a baked potato. My mom would always peel carrots. Not me. I figure it’s one less step and I’m not even sure what she was peeling off! > > I agree with another poster; why do people think that they can actually get the germs or whatever off of produce by rinsing?!! If there’s actual dirt I’ll rinse it off. I worry more about everyone from pickers to store employees to customers handling the produce with germy hands. Unless you scrubbed every berry, grape, etc with a disinfectant you could never properly clean produce. So I choose to not think about it…too much. When I lived in Africa, we dipped all vegetables in a mild bleach solution, then rinsed with clear water. Kills the nasties quite effectively. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/38 "2017-10-19T16:38:32Z")
Cooking will kill the nasties, too. Not relevant for all vegetables, but potatoes are pretty much always cooked. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/39 "2017-10-19T16:44:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It sounds a little bit like what is sometimes known as [smashed potatoes](http://damndelicious.net/2014/02/14/garlic-smashed-potatoes/), but I’m not entirely sure, as they’re pretty distinct from home fries. They are, indeed, excellent. Thanks, pulykamell. Maybe Khendrask will respond. Smashed looks pretty good _(and even better when yer shmashed_, heh) but I was wondering if he meant crushing a whole raw potato and frying it. Garlic is sometimes treated similarly: give it a stable base, put the flat of a large, broad blade on it, and give that a smack. Like many other things, I could just try it myself but thought I’d ask. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405/40 "2017-10-19T16:51:11Z")
I wash my potatoes under hot water to get all the dirt off ,then boil them whole if I am in a hurry I will cut them up . I never peel my potatoes even when making potatoes salad . I like the skin . When I bake chicken I also bake some potatoes and yams and will the potatoes to made home fries. I like onions in my home fries. My dog love baked yams . 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-fries-peel-the-potatos-or-not/325405.md?page=3)