PARTNER POST: Reinvent potato recipes to be fresher and lighter in the new year. Make it your resolution to try these dishes as nutritious packed lunch ideas.
A Greek dip, Skordalia is just as good as your go-to hummus and is packed with nutrients from potatoes and almonds.
By Nicole Gaffney
Potatoes rank pretty high on my list of favorite ingredients to cook with. They’re inexpensive, super versatile and contrary to popular belief, actually pretty healthy. Today I’m teaming up with The US Potato Board to bring you a recipe for a Greek style dip that’s so tasty, it might just replace hummus as your go-to healthy snack.
Potatoes have gotten a bad rap when it comes to eating healthy. They’re always thrown into that dark, scary category of foods we’re all supposed to avoid, often being compared to refined grains and white sugar. But that’s unfair, because potatoes have so much more nutrition to offer than the latter. Unlike refined grains and white sugar, potatoes are whole, unprocessed vegetables boasting an arsenal of vitamins and nutrients. One medium baked potato has only 110 calories, zero fat, zero cholesterol, and is chock full of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron and fiber. 
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL-aW5Ko1u4[/fve]
Whether you’re still on the clean eating bandwagon or not, I’m here to tell you that you can – and should! – include potatoes in your diet without feeling guilty. If you’re a fan of hummus, baba ghanoush or other Mediterranean/Middle Eastern dips, you’re going to love skordalia. It’s much lesser known than the others, but just as delicious served with pita, veggies or even as a sauce for grilled meats. It’s supposed to be super garlicky, but if you’re sensitive, you can always dial that back.
I’m also sharing the US Potato Board‘s video on how to make a killer potato and butternut fritatta. I’m going to go make that for breakfast right now.
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How to Make Potato Skordalia
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Omnivore, Vegetarian
Description
A creamy Greek dip packed with potatoes and almonds. Perfect with pita bread or crudités.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) potatoes
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) salt
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cups (237 ml) blanched almonds
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) lemon juice
- 3-4 tbsp (45-60 ml) red or white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Place the whole, unpeeled potatoes in a large pot of room temperature water, season generously with salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender (about 20 minutes, depending on size).
- While the potatoes are cooking, combine the garlic, almonds, and 1 tablespoon of salt in a blender or food processor and blend on high until pulverized. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons of vinegar and continue blending until very smooth.
- Reserve 1 cup of potato cooking water, then drain the potatoes and allow to cool for a few minutes. Remove the skins from the potatoes, then press them through a potato ricer or mash thoroughly by hand.
- Add the garlic almond mixture and 1/2 cup of reserved cooking water while the potatoes are still warm. Mix and mash until totally combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning/acidity as necessary, and thin out with more water to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as a dip for crudités and pita.
Notes
- For a smoother skordalia, use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the mashed potatoes before combining with the almond mixture.
- Toasted almonds will add a richer flavor; toast them in a dry pan before blending.
- If you don’t have a potato ricer, a food mill works well as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other nuts instead of almonds in the Skordalia?
Yes, you can substitute almonds with other nuts like walnuts or cashews, but keep in mind that this may alter the flavor profile.
What type of potatoes works best for making Skordalia?
Starchy potatoes, such as Russets, are ideal for Skordalia as they create a creamy texture when mashed.
How should I adjust the garlic if I prefer a milder taste in my Skordalia?
You can reduce the amount of garlic used or roast it beforehand to soften its flavor while still maintaining the essence of the dip.
