US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (2024)

WITHIN Australia, delicious deep fried discs of potato can be a point of contention.

Some of us call them potato scallops, and others call them potato cakes. We’re a funny mob, aren’t we?

But generally it’s agreed that these battered beauties are best served heavily salted, with a side of white vinegar or tomato sauce (and a hint of regret after consuming).

That’s why America’s take on the humble potato cake has people in an absolute spin.

Prepare yourself. You’re not going to like what you’re about to see:

It’s our sad duty to confirm that Rachael wasn’t making this up.

“The Original Australian Battered Potatoes” company exists.

There are a few things that are worthy of note here.

From the image above, it seems that you’re not just getting one or two in a serving — you are getting a whole damn bucket of them.

You kind of have to respect that level of commitment to deep fried food. It’s also fairly ingenious, because if you eat 18 potato cakes covered in ranch dressing and then go on a rollercoaster at that funfair, you’re really going to need the bucket.

They have also thumbed their nose at the traditional vinegar/sauce/salt toppings and have gone utterly berserk.

To ratchet things up to even more ridiculous heights, it also appears they’ve tried to jump on the unicorn food trend. Hoo boy.

Further investigative research (ie clicking through to the “about” page on the website) reveals that an Australian-born woman named Carmel Dyer has been serving this dish up at American County Fairs since 1987.

It’s not the first time our American friends have taken a beloved local delicacy and demolished it. Two years ago it came to our attention that American websites were extolling the virtues of Australian “fairy toast”.

“Despite its striking appearance, in Australia, fairy bread isn’t considered fancy food — the toast is usually eaten as breakfast, as a snack in-between meals, or after dinner to finish off the meal,” writes Katherine Sacks for Epicurious.

But back to battered potato atrocities.

The local social media response to America’s spin on potato cakes was swift, with some labelling it a “national insult” (also, we tip our hat to Pedestrian.tv for their “starch nemesis” headline).