Stamppot, simple but effective

Stamppot is one of the most popular Dutch dishes. This dish is made of a mixture of mashed potatoes and one or more vegetables, and even with fruits like pineapple.

There are several recipes for Stamppot depending on the vegetable with which the potatoes are mixed. We at The Pantry have tested the 3 most popular types for you:

- Hutspot: potatoes, onion, carrots

- Boerenkoolstamppot: potatoes and kale

- Zuurkoolstamppot: potatoes and sauerkraut

All served with a smoked sausage or a meatball.

History

The origins of the stamppot remain unknown. However, it is known that the origin of the hutspot is linked to the Spanish occupation of the city of Leiden in the southern Netherlands during the Anglo-Spanish war (1585-1604) in 1573 and 1574. It was in 1574 that the resistance fighters won against the Spanish occupiers, leaving behind a pot containing an unknown mixture of potatoes, parsnips, onions and meat. The people of Leiden were starving and eager to eat it.

In our opinion, the hutspot is the original stamppot, over the years, the composition has simply been changed.

What about us ?

As said before, we have tested the stamppot at this charming address : The Pantry, Leidsekruisstraat 21, 1017 RE Amsterdam.

https://www.thepantry.nl/en/

So I tried the combination of hutspot, boerenkoolstamppot and zuurkoolstamppot served with a smoked sausage, 3 in 1 !

And for our vegetarian readers, Cyrine tried the hutspot vegetarian version. It was served with two sauces: one with applesauce and one with onion and vinegar. It was also served with piccalilli and pickles.

I found that this specialty had the advantage of being simple and hearty. The vegetable combinations are well thought out as they go well together. The sauces and garnishes added flavor, not forgetting of course the sausage which was cooked perfectly.

Cyrine had a bonus mustard-pepper sauce that went very well with the vegetarian hutspot. She was more than satisfied.

To top it all off, The Pantry is a friendly restaurant, focusing on the authentic Dutch cuisine, and international: the menu was available in eight different languages and the waiters were multilingual. It was a pleasant surprise! But come to think of it, Amsterdam is a multicultural city after all!

Your turn !

Moreover, here is a recipe to make your own Stamppot, more precisely your own Boerenkoolstamppot : https://www.thespruceeats.com/stamppot-with-curly-kale-and-rookworst-1128837

Enjoy !