As mixed–race people can attest, fusion food was around long before it became a “thing” in the 1970’s. The humble French fry, or chip, depending on your childhood locale, has mixed and matched its way into dishes from all corners of the globe. Is it the ultimate fusion fry?
Fusion Food: is cuisine that combines elements of different culinary traditions that originate from different countries, regions, or cultures.
so, what are French Fries? Historically it appears to be a slice of potato fried in oil. Simple, no? But if only it stopped there! It is claimed by the Belgians, the French and the Spanish as their own, with the Belgian theory holding the most water, or oil in this case. Potatoly scholars point to such marvellously named books as “Famous, curious and interesting causes, of all the sovereign courts of the kingdom, with the judgments which decided them.” (1775), and “The economical cookery book for housewives, cooks, and maids-of-all-work, with hints to the mistress and servant.” (1859) as evidence of historical ownership.
It is not as if it is complex recipe that couldn’t be created in numerous places and times over the centuries, giving those with access to the “New World” potato, a shot at claiming ownership. Regardless, it is safe to say that at some time, somewhere in Western Europe, the French Fry was invented, albeit under many different names.
My initial eye opening to the versatility of the French Fry was when I purchased my first shawarma from my nearest street vendor as my very first meal upon arrival in Muscat. To this day I still can’t decide if I was happy or disappointed to see half a dozen French Fries snuggled in with the remaining ingredients, as if it had belonged there all along. Little did I know then how far the fried stick of potato had spread.
It was my initial intent to list all the variations that fries make their appearance at tables around the world, however, but a few minutes into my research it became clear that there really were too many to list, and too many to read in a five minute article. In summarizing the myriad of variations and applications
I offer the following, non-comprehensive, summary:
Cooking method: Shallow Fried, Deep Fried, Air Fried, Oven Baked
Can be added to: Pies, Wraps, Sandwiches, Shawarma (as mentioned previously), Frittata (Fryttata), Burgers (between the buns), Salads (I really am not sold on this one)
Side dish with: Fish, Burgers, Steak, Egg, Curry, BBQ, Chicken, Bacon, Sausages
Covered with: Sauces, Salts, Vinegar, Cheese, Chilli, Sliced Sausage, Bacon Bits, Gravy, Cheese Curd, Eggs.
Shapes: Wedges, Shoestring, Classic Chip, Classic Fries, Crinkle Cut, Curly, Waffle, Spiral.
Made form: Potatoes, Sweet Potato, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Swede, Turnip.
Note: Tater Tots or Pommes Noisettes are not considered as Fries/Chips.
There is no denying the versatility of the French Fry, nor the imagination of people to include them in their food in weird and wonderful (some not so) ways, but, does the French Fry qualify as a Fusion Food?
Question: Do French Fries/Chips meet the criteria of being “an element that is combined with those of different regions or cultures”? Join the discussion here in our forums.
Please feel free to post your thoughts and experiences on the matter in the forums here, or should you have a larger submission, send it to reachout@1mixedfamily.com for possible inclusion in our reader articles. All participation is welcome.