National Mashed Potato Day Date in the current year: October 18, 2024

Mashed potato, also known as mashed potatoes, mashed taters or simply mash, is a side dish made by mashing boiled or steamed potatoes. Butter and milk or cream are usually added to give the dish a fluffy and creamy consistency. In non-dairy variations of the dish, meat or vegetable stock can be used instead of butter and milk. Another factor that affects the texture of mashed potatoes is the potato cultivar used to make the dish. Mashed potatoes typically accompany meat or vegetable dishes prepared with gravy or sauce.

Mashed potatoes have been known since at least the mid-18th century. The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah Glasse, first published in England in 1747, has a mashed potato recipe that calls for boiling potatoes, peeling them, and then mashing the potatoes in a saucepan with milk, salt, and butter. Instant mashed potatoes were developed in the early 20th century. Available in many different flavors, they are even easier to cook: all you need to do is add some hot water or milk and stir the mixture well to prevent lumps.

Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish in many cuisines around the world because they are easy to cook and versatile. They can be made with various seasoning and condiments, including bacon, caramelized onion, cheese, garlic, herbs (for example, chives, dill, parsley), mustard, sour cream, spices (black pepper, chili pepper, coriander, nutmeg), and others.

In the United Kingdom, mashed potatoes are often served with sausages. Known as bangers and mash or sausages and mash, the dish may also include peas and fried onions or onion gravy. Another popular British dish that incorporates mashed potatoes is bubble and squeak. It is made by mixing mashed potatoes and cabbage and frying them together. In the United States, mashed potatoes are a common side dish at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

In addition to being served as a side dish, mashed potatoes can be used to prepare a variety of other dishes. For example, duchess potatoes (pommes de terre duchesse) are made by mixing mashed potatoes with egg yolk, piping the mixture from a piping bag, and baking until golden. Other dishes made with mashed potatoes include croquettes, gnocchi, pierogi, potato pancakes, shepherd’s pie, and many more.

National Mashed Potato Day has been celebrated annually since at least 2016. It is believed to have been launched by Idahoan Foods, a producer of instant mashed potatoes, although some sources claim it was created by the Idaho Potato Commission. Be that as it may, the best way to celebrate the holiday is to have a meal that involves mashed potatoes. Instant or home cooked? That’s your choice! Don’t forget to share your favorite mashed potato recipes on social media and add the hashtag #NationalMashedPotatoDay to spread the word about the holiday.