Stamppot
First things first , we ’ re in The Netherlands and there is nothing more Dutch than stamppot , which literally translates to “ mashed pot ”. It is a traditional Dutch dish , basically like an ordinary dish of mashed potatoes , but there is no limit to what you can add to it and I also find the texture rougher . Usually stamppot is mixed with some veggies . These veggie pairings can include endive , kale , leek , spinach , peas , carrots , and more . Often Stamppot is also topped up with a portion of sausages , steak , schnitzel , tofu , eggs , veggie patties , or basically anything . I honestly think that this dish is so much fun . You can ’ t really go wrong with stamppot , once you have the base - no matter what you add to it , it ’ ll taste great .
The exact origin of stamppot is unknown , although it seems to be an adaptation of a similar dish called hutspot . According to the legend , during the Eighty Years ’ War , the Spanish tried to capture Leiden , and on October 3rd , 1574 , the resistance finally succeeded in driving the Spanish away and liberating the city . It is reported that the Spanish soldiers fleeing Leiden left cooked bits of an unfamiliar stew of carrots , meat , onions , and parsnips , which the starved people of Leiden ate up right away . Not knowing what to call the unfamiliar dish , they named it hutspot , meaning mixed pot . When stamppot was invented it quickly became a very popular Dutch winter dish and has been rightly so for hundreds of years . “ Winter dish ”, because of its warmth and ability to immediately fill you up and keep you smiling for hours of course . It became such an iconic food because during the harvest months potatoes were so easy to get and many hungry farmers could be filled up quickly , and cheaply as well ( quickly and cheaply , I know I got you students there ).
If you are also looking to eat out , you can find stamppot in most classic Dutch cafes . A particularly good one in Breda is “
Den Boerenstamppot ” in Schoolstraat 3 . This place is family owned , exists since 1974 , and probably didn ’ t change much since . It ’ s like entering a time machine , and for only € 10,50 you ’ ll get a 3-course meal . Don ’ t expect something too fancy , this is simple and traditional home-made Dutch food at its finest . Just make sure to check the opening hours beforehand , also recommended to reserve a table . But anyways , as I promised , here ’ s a
link to a great stamppot recipe .