New Potatoes Are the Taste of Summer
Few ingredients are as closely associated with summer as new potatoes. The first harvest is highly anticipated every year and often appears on everything from midsummer tables to barbecue dinners and simple seasonal meals. Their thin skin, delicate flavor, and tender texture make new potatoes a favorite throughout the warmer months.
When Are New Potatoes Harvested?
New potatoes are harvested early, before the potatoes are fully mature. In southern parts of Sweden, the first new potatoes can arrive as early as May, while other parts of the country usually see the harvest a little later. The season is at its peak during early summer and summer.
What separates new potatoes from stored potatoes is that they are sold fresh right after harvest. That is why they have thinner skin, more moisture, and a milder taste.
How Should You Cook New Potatoes?
The best thing about new potatoes is that they do not need much. The simpler the cooking, the more their flavor comes through.
Boiled New Potatoes
The classic method is often the best. Gently scrub the potatoes instead of peeling them. Place them in a pot of water, add a little salt, and let them simmer until tender. Small potatoes usually cook quite quickly.
Serve them straight away with butter, dill, and a little flaky salt.
Roasted in the Oven
New potatoes are also excellent roasted. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and herbs, then roast until golden. This works especially well with grilled food or as part of a summer buffet.
Pan-Fried or Grilled
Pre-boiled new potatoes can be pan-fried or grilled for a crispier surface. This brings out more flavor and makes them a great rustic side dish.
The Best Side Dishes for New Potatoes
New potatoes pair well with many foods, especially simple and fresh flavors.
Classic Pairings
Butter, dill, sour cream, and chives are natural choices. Served with pickled herring, salmon, or other dishes on a summer table, new potatoes are almost essential.
With Grilled Food
With grilled chicken, meat, or vegetarian dishes, new potatoes are always a reliable option. Serve them with aioli, herb butter, romesco, or a cold yogurt sauce. If you are looking for the right equipment for summer cooking outdoors, you can also explore our grills and smokehouses.
With Fish and Seafood
New potatoes work very well with smoked salmon, pan-fried fish, and prawns. Lemon, browned butter, dill, and horseradish are especially good matches here.
Vegetarian Pairings
For a vegetarian summer meal, new potatoes go well with grilled asparagus, salad, fresh herbs, feta cheese, or burrata.
How to Get the Best Flavor from New Potatoes
Choose potatoes of a similar size so they cook evenly. Scrub them gently and avoid overcooking them. New potatoes are best served soon after cooking, when both flavor and texture are at their peak.
Usually, all you need is good produce, a little butter, and fresh herbs.
New potatoes are at their best when kept simple. They are harvested early in the season, have thin skin and a mild flavor, and are perfect for midsummer meals, barbecue dinners, and light summer cooking. Boiled, roasted, pan-fried, or grilled, they are an ingredient that delivers a lot with very little effort.
