What are baby chat potatoes?
Baby chat potatoes are actually small coliban potatoes that have been harvested early to be smaller. The benefit of this is that they’re both faster to cook and easier to achieve a crispy side.
They’re also super versatile, and can be used in most recipes. However, they shine brightest when used for roasting, boiling, and for recipes like potato salads, where a whole potato is too big.
In addition to their unique texture and flavour, they’re known for their good looks on dinner plates.
Their small size and round shape make them a popular decorative ingredient in many dishes, as well as a delicious and easy-to-use ingredient in a variety of recipes.
Whether you’re looking to add flavour and texture to a dish or want to make a dish using one of the best potatoes for roasting, baby chats are always a good choice.
Benefits of baby chat potatoes
Floury texture
Baby Chat Potatoes are often characterised by their floury texture, which sets them apart from other types of potatoes, like the Desiree potato.
This texture contributes to their tender and flavorful flesh, which is why they are so prized in many kitchens.
Versatility
As mentioned, baby chat potatoes are a good all-rounder.
They can be boiled, roasted, steamed, or fried, and they’re almost always going to turn out well. The only thing they aren’t the best for is mashing because the skin-to-filling ratio isn’t as generous as their older brother, the coliban potato.
But because they’re so useful, it makes them usable in almost any recipe that calls for potatoes, waxy, floury, or otherwise.
Availability
Chat potatoes are available in nearly any Australian supermarket. And if you’re looking for independent businesses, farmers markets and other places to shop, there’s a good chance you’ll find them there too.
The reason for this is that baby chat potatoes are easy to grow and resistant to Australian conditions.
They also have a long shelf life. This means that if you see them on special, they’re always a safe buy because they can be used in so many different recipes.
Best Recipes for baby chat potatoes
Potato salad
Because of their size, baby chat potatoes are perfect for potato salads. This is because they are quick to cook, easy to mix with other ingredients, and not too large, so they don’t make it bland.
Roast potatoes
Baby chat potatoes are one of the best potatoes for roasting in Australia.
They’re easy to cook, soak up herbs and seasonings, and are small enough to always be crispy.
Because of their size and availability, they also make for a quick and easy air fryer recipe for couples or as side dishes. Some recipes recommended to readers for the best roast potatoes include:
- Serious Eats “The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes Ever“
- SBS “Best Ever Rosemary Roast Potatoes“
- Recipe Tin Eats “Crispy Smashed Potatoes“
Where to find baby chat potatoes
As mentioned, baby chat poatoes are super common across Australia. Suppose you visit any supermarket like Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, or IGA. In that case, you’re likely to see them in the fresh produce section beside its cousins, the Desiree, and it’s bigger brother, the Coliban potato.
But, if you’re a fan of supporting local places to shop for food, take a wander of your local farmers market, and there’s a good chance you’ll see them there too.
