Potatoes are one of the most versatile foods in existence. They can be boiled, mashed, fried, baked and more! And while a potato grater is an excellent tool for shredding sweet potatoes when you need them cut into fine pieces or thin strips for making homemade hash brown. But what do you do when you want to grate them without a grater? In this blog post, we will share a few easy ways to grate fresh potatoes without a grater so that your next recipe has the entire flavor but none of the hassle!
Easy Methods to Grate Potatoes without a Grater
A lot of people do not know how to grate potatoes without a grater for making potatoes. Grating potatoes has long been a staple in many cultures. Here are 7 easy ways to grate potatoes without using a potato or cheese grater.
Using a Knife
Use the side of your knife or another sharp tool and simply scrape it against the skin while rotating them in one direction. This will create long, thin strips that resemble shredded potato strands.
Using a peeler
A vegetable peeler is a great alternative for those who want thin, long strips of potatoes for a dish like potato latkes. Use an apple peeler/corer by inserting the blade into the center of each piece and slowly rotate around until you have created long shreds for fries or crispy hash browns. Holding onto one end, rub with circular motions on any surface like wood, plastic wrap or even paper towel until desired thickness is achieved. Slice thinly lengthwise and crosswise (across). If this method does not work well, try slicing them horizontally and then long-ways again.
Using A Mandoline Slicer
A mandoline slicer is an excellent alternative to a grater when it comes to shredding potatoes. It will create thin slices that are perfect for garnishes and salads or even as an ingredient in potato salad and coleslaw. Care should be taken when slicing with the blade side of this utensil because it's very sharp!
The blades on the mandolin are thin, sharp and they will grate through all of your potato in no time at all. Using a mandolin to shred potato will give your dish an elegant look, but this method is not recommended if you have shaky hands.
- Step 1: Slide the sliced vegetables onto one side of the slicing surface so that they fall off or you can use a metal scraper to remove them.
- Step 2: Turn the handle so that it moves back and forth across from one side of the blade to another, catching all your grated potatoes in a pile below.
- Step 3: Rub a cheese grater against the skin of your potatoes to create thin shreds.
Remember: If you have sensitive hands or arthritis, try using a potato peeler first. This would not only save your fingers from getting sore but also give you more control over how big they want each slice to be. The smaller pieces may provide more surface area on the pan while cooking and will help the potatoes cook more evenly.
Using A Food Processor
A food processor can be used to grate potatoes without a grater. Simply peel and slice the desired length thinly then place one layer of potatoes, skin side down on top of each other onto the food processor's blade. Turn it on so that all pieces are shredded at an even thickness or width (depending on what you want) while not letting it touch any surface below the cutting blades.
Using A Pastry Blender
A pastry blender can also be used to grate potatoes without a grater by using its wires as a guide for shaving off potato slices in thin strips. Holding the wire with one hand, scrape from end to end across the top edge of your bowl or work station until all desired amount is shaved off into small flakes.
Using A Fork
Use a fork to grate potatoes without a grater. Slice the desired width of your potato and place them on top one another then start peeling from end to end with the tines of the fork, shredding all pieces at an even thickness or width (depending on what you are planning to do).
Using A Spiral Vegetable Slicer
You can create vegetables that look like ribbons using this tool but it will not produce as much texture out of potatoes. If you want more shredded veggies for things like salads, soup or stir-fry dishes, use a mandoline or food processor instead.
- Step 1: Peel (optional) the potatoes.
- Step 2: Cut them into thin slices.
- Step 3: Fit them in an even layer on a food slicer's sharp, rotating blade and press evenly to create long ribbons of potato as wide as your spiral vegetable slicer can accommodate. Turn off the machine when you've reached desired thickness or go backwards for a shorter slice.
- Step 4: Gently shake out the ribbons to separate and then cut them into smaller pieces with kitchen shears or a knife if desired.
Remember: Grating potatoes creates long strands while slicing makes thin strips so when deciding which way is best for whatever dish you're making choose accordingly.
How to Grate Potatoes with a Potato Ricer?
It is another potato shredding tool that, in most cases, is used to make mashed potatoes. It is a suitable alternative if you don't have a grater or electric blender.
Step 1: Put the potatoes in a bowl and cover with water.
Step 2: Remove any brown spots on potato skin. Use your hands or knife to remove these, but be careful not to cut into the actual flesh of the potato as this can make it taste bitter when cooked.
Step 3: Once you have removed all visible imperfections from each potato, use pot lids for scrubbing them until they are completely clean (this is optional). Rinse well under running tap water then dry using a tea towel or dishcloth before grating potatoes through ricer's holes.
Step 4: Place the rind of potatoes on holes, then push down with your hand and give a squeeze to grate potatoes.
FAQs:
1. Is It Easy To Grate Potatoes Without A Grater?
Answer: It is not too difficult to grate potatoes without a grater. You can use a blender or a mandolin as an alternative or you could try grating potatoes in a store.
2. What Is The Quickest Way To Grate Potatoes Without A Grater?
Answer: Using a blender for grating potatoes with no grater is the best way to go about it. This is because this will provide for the easiest and quickest way to get the job done.
3. Why Do Some Cooks Recommend Not Using A Food Processor?
Answer: Grating potatoes without a grater can be really hard because you have to press down with much more force than before. This makes the potato go through the food processor blades differently and leaves behind little pieces of skin, which are not desirable in your dish.
Another issue often comes up when trying to grate potatoes without a grater. Some people may not realize they need to change their blade from shredding or slicing mode to regular chopping, which has wider blocks that will make for better gratings.
Summary:
Potatoes are a delicious side dish for many meals. We hope this guide vanishes your worries about shredding potatoes for making potato salad, rosti or french fries but don't have a shredder tool!
