Saratoga Salsa and Spice is continuing to up the ante for claim to have the original Saratoga Potato Chip.
After launching their line of Saratoga Chips earlier this year, owner John Knotek wanted to work out a plan to make sure his store was producing and selling the freshest, local, hand-made potato chip in the same form as they were sold when they were invented in the 1850s in Saratoga Springs.
In order to do this, Knotek searched the surrounding area for a farm that could produce potatoes for his special recipe. He found a perfect fit with Sheldon Farms in Salem. This six-generation farm has been producing heirloom potatoes since the 1800s - the same time that the original Saratoga Chips were being made.
"This partnership completes the vision of how and why we are doing this," Knotek said. "We wanted a smaller operation with a hand-made approach, and we are very close to announcing an in-town manufacturing site for the chips. That will be one of the final steps to complete this vision."
The potato chip was first made in Saratoga Springs in 1853 and they were made by hand. The Saratoga Salsa and Spice Company brought back this hand-made potato chip which is fried in small batches with the skin on. They are then hand-seasoned, hand-packed and hand-labeled. Local and nationally known chefs Jasper Alexander, owner of Hatties Restaurant, and David Britton of Food Network's "Dinner Impossible" are working with Saratoga Salsa and Spice, providing their extraordinary talents to the chip making process.
A unique aspect to the Sheldon Farms heirloom potatoes is that they are different colors. Some of the heirlooms are named Adirondack Blue and Adirondack Red. With these local, yet distinctive potatoes, combined with Knotek's expertise with spices, the Saratoga Chips are causing excitement for both Knotek and Pat Sheldon of Sheldon Farms.
"Sheldon Farms is proud to supply the potatoes for Saratoga Salsa and Spice's revival of Saratoga's heirloom chip. When chips were invented in Saratoga 150 years ago, great-great-great- grandfather Asahel Sheldon was growing potatoes across the Hudson in Washington County. He'd be proud to see Sheldon potatoes continuing the heritage in Saratoga Salsa and Spice's Saratoga Potato Chips today. As farmers, we also appreciate John's commitment to using local potatoes, not only for authenticity's sake, but as a prime example of how local and regional food businesses can help preserve the viability and sustainability of the family farm. We very much look forward to working together," Sheldon said.
The first Sheldon Farms Saratoga Chips will be produced in October and special tin and paper packaging should be available at Saratoga Salsa and Spice by the holiday season.
"With a little bit of attitude and fun, we hope we can bring back that original foundation of the term 'snack food.' Our specialized product won't be on every shelf in America, so we hope that people can associate this taste with Saratoga Springs and our specialized market," Knotek said.
In order to do this, Knotek searched the surrounding area for a farm that could produce potatoes for his special recipe. He found a perfect fit with Sheldon Farms in Salem. This six-generation farm has been producing heirloom potatoes since the 1800s - the same time that the original Saratoga Chips were being made.
"This partnership completes the vision of how and why we are doing this," Knotek said. "We wanted a smaller operation with a hand-made approach, and we are very close to announcing an in-town manufacturing site for the chips. That will be one of the final steps to complete this vision."
The potato chip was first made in Saratoga Springs in 1853 and they were made by hand. The Saratoga Salsa and Spice Company brought back this hand-made potato chip which is fried in small batches with the skin on. They are then hand-seasoned, hand-packed and hand-labeled. Local and nationally known chefs Jasper Alexander, owner of Hatties Restaurant, and David Britton of Food Network's "Dinner Impossible" are working with Saratoga Salsa and Spice, providing their extraordinary talents to the chip making process.
A unique aspect to the Sheldon Farms heirloom potatoes is that they are different colors. Some of the heirlooms are named Adirondack Blue and Adirondack Red. With these local, yet distinctive potatoes, combined with Knotek's expertise with spices, the Saratoga Chips are causing excitement for both Knotek and Pat Sheldon of Sheldon Farms.
"Sheldon Farms is proud to supply the potatoes for Saratoga Salsa and Spice's revival of Saratoga's heirloom chip. When chips were invented in Saratoga 150 years ago, great-great-great- grandfather Asahel Sheldon was growing potatoes across the Hudson in Washington County. He'd be proud to see Sheldon potatoes continuing the heritage in Saratoga Salsa and Spice's Saratoga Potato Chips today. As farmers, we also appreciate John's commitment to using local potatoes, not only for authenticity's sake, but as a prime example of how local and regional food businesses can help preserve the viability and sustainability of the family farm. We very much look forward to working together," Sheldon said.
The first Sheldon Farms Saratoga Chips will be produced in October and special tin and paper packaging should be available at Saratoga Salsa and Spice by the holiday season.
"With a little bit of attitude and fun, we hope we can bring back that original foundation of the term 'snack food.' Our specialized product won't be on every shelf in America, so we hope that people can associate this taste with Saratoga Springs and our specialized market," Knotek said.
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