Hutspot

Hutspot is a traditional, colorful Dutch dish made with potatoes, carrots, and onions. Today, it is a popular dish to eat during the cold winter days, but originally, it was prepared (and still is) on the 3rd of October, as the city of Leiden celebrates their victory over the Spaniards in 1574. Potatoes, onions, and carrots are typically mashed together and seasoned with salt and pepper. The carrots should be full of natural sugar, such as the Dutch winterpenen carrot variety, gathered right after the first frost, giving the dish a special flavor. Traditionally, the dish is served alongside Dutch meatballs or klapstuk, a piece of braised beef. The name hutspot refers to the Dutch word hutsen, meaning to mix together. It is a simple dish, ideal for people who don't really know how to cook, but its flavors and fragrance make it an extremely popular and beloved comfort food throughout the Netherlands.