About Skin on Fries
Fries, also known as chips or French fries, depending on whether you’re in the states or the UK, are a staple comfort food. They can be served in all kinds of equally delicious ways - from cheese-topped to gravy soaked or dipped in tomato sauce. Skin on fries are a rustic addition to any chip menu. They add a new dimension of texture and flavour while also having health and environmental benefits.
What are skin on fries?
Skin on fries are French fries that have not had their skins peeled before cooking. This means the skin is left on and adds a deliciously crispy texture when fried. This also adds an extra, subtle flavour that offers something different from peeled, traditional French fries.
Benefits for health
Potatoes don’t just taste great, they have health benefits too. They contain a lot of fibre, which is good for our digestive health. But most of the fibre in potatoes is stored in their skin. Leaving the skin-on means they keep natural nutritional goodness. As well as fibre, potato skins also contain other important nutrients including antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C. Vitamin C supports a healthy immune system, and potassium can help regulate blood pressure which keeps your heart healthy. Antioxidants are also essential to prevent damage to your cells from toxic molecules called free radicals.
It’s important to remember that these nutrients are locked into the potato skin. If you peel your potatoes will lose all the healthy benefits and nutritional value of these. The Journal of Food Science recently found that leaving the skin on potatoes can boost their nutritional value by up to 35%. That’s a significant health benefit that would be tossed into the bin if you remove your potato skins.
