Oven Smashed Potatoes

Oven-smashed potatoes, or “smashed potatoes” in English, are a simple and tasty side dish. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 1 kg of new potatoes or small-sized potatoes
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed (optional)
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional)
• grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a more Italian variant)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (390 °F).
2. Wash the potatoes and cook them in plenty of salted water until they are tender but not falling apart, about 15-20 minutes depending on size.
3. Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly. While waiting, you can lightly grease a baking tray with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Arrange the potatoes on the tray, leaving some space between each one.
5. Using a cloth or the bottom of a glass, gently smash each potato to flatten it slightly, but without completely breaking it apart. The goal is to create a larger surface that will crisp up.
6. Brush the smashed potatoes with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like, you can also add the crushed clove of garlic and the broken-up rosemary to further flavor.
7. Bake the potatoes for about 20-25 minutes or until they are crispy and golden.
8. If you would like a richer, more Italian version, sprinkle the potatoes with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese and put them back in the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is slightly golden.
9. Serve hot as a side dish to meat or fish courses.

Oven smashed potatoes are a versatile preparation that lends itself to many variations: you can add spices such as paprika or cumin to give them a different touch, or sprinkle with finely chopped fresh aromatic herbs after cooking for added freshness.