This Depression-Era Cooking Hack Still Hits Home, Chef Explains ...Saudi Arabia

If you’re making a recipe that calls for peeling potatoes, there’s a good chance you’re simply chucking those potato skins in the compost or trash. But when you do so, you’re not only throwing away money, but you’re also throwing away something perfectly nutritious, edible and delicious!

In fact, there’s a cooking hack from the Great Depression that brilliantly upcycles potato peels into something new. If you’re a fan of potatoes (I mean, who isn’t?) this recipe is a must-try.

The recipe comes our way courtesy of Chef Anthony Thomas, a Washington, D.C. area-based chef who promotes healthy living. He’s also the author of 11 self-published food-themed books and cookbooks for adults and children, including Making My Ancestors Proud: A Collection of Handcrafted Delicious Recipes and The Little Vegan Chef.

We asked Thomas to share a Great Depression-era cooking hack that still hits home, and below, you’ll find Thomas’ genius, cheap and easy recipe for making something out of “nothing,” aka potato peels. Keep reading to learn more!

Related: 70 Years Later, This Iconic Dessert Is Still a Family Favorite, According to a Celebrity Chef

The Great Depression Forced Home Chefs To Get Creative

For around a decade, starting with the stock market crash of 1929, the U.S. (and soon, many other economies all around the world) experienced the Great Depression. Known as the worst economic time period in recent history, the Great Depression marked record levels of unemployment, low wages and economic deflation.

At the time, the U.S. government did not offer unemployment insurance, meaning that many people who lost their jobs often went into poverty and even lost their homes, per the University of Washington. For the numerous people struggling to make ends meet, lifestyle adjustments were a must—especially in the kitchen.

Families and individuals were forced to get creative with their cooking. People had to prioritize shopping for affordable groceries, stretching ingredients and even taking certain parts of foods that may typically be seen as waste and using them to create something new—and some of the recipes that became popular back then are still enjoyed today.

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The Depression-Era Cooking Hack You Have To Try, According to a Professional Chef

According to Thomas, the depression-era cooking hack that still hits home today is making potato chips using potato peels.

Panagiotis Kyriakos / Getty Images

“My guilty pleasure has always been potato chips,” Thomas tells Parade. “When I’m catering for a client, I’m already peeling potatoes anyway, so why not turn those peels into a snack instead of just chucking them? It’s the ultimate ‘wait, this actually slaps’ moment when you realize scraps can taste better than the stuff you’d pay for at the store.”

Basically, if you’re already peeling potatoes, saving the peels to make potato chips can reduce food waste and save you money (something that was vital during the Great Depression).

“I love that it doesn’t take any real skill, it’s basically just oil, salt and a little patience,” Thomas adds. “Honestly, once you try these, you’ll never look at potato peels the same way again.”

Related: These 44 Meatless and Dairy-Free Casserole Recipes Will Complete Your Vegan Dinner Goal Dreams

Steve Eason / Getty Images

Tips for Making Potato Chips Using Potato Peels

One of the most important tricks for this recipe is to make your potato peels on the thicker side.

“Wash your potatoes before you start peeling, and go for thicker peels instead of thin little shavings,” Thomas says. “This way, they crisp up better.”

Once you have your peels, it’s important to prep them before you hit them with oil and seasonings by patting them dry.

“Dry the peels off really well with a towel,” Thomas says, “because any leftover moisture is the enemy of crispiness here.”

Related: The Grandma-Approved Trick to the Smoothest, Creamiest Mashed Potatoes

As for seasonings, you’ll find Thomas’ suggestions below. However, he encourages you to use “whatever you’re feeling” when it comes to spices.

Additionally, Thomas’ recipe calls for roasting your potato chips in the oven; however, he says you can also make them on the stovetop instead.

“If you’re impatient like me, you can just fry them in a hot pan for 2 to 3 minutes a side instead,” Thomas tells Parade, adding that if you cook them this way, you should let them drain on a paper towel before enjoying.

terrasprite / Getty Images

How To Make Potato Chips Using Potato Peels

There are no exact measurements for this recipe, as the amount of oil and spices you need depends on how many potato peels you have, as well as your taste.

Here’s what you’ll need:

And here are the steps, according to Thomas:

Once you remove your chips from the oven, Thomas says they’ll taste great plain, but you can also “dunk them in whatever sauce you’ve got lying around.”

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Related: Professional Chef Says These 3 ‘Old-Fashioned’ Meals from the 1940s Are the Definition of ‘Comfort Food’

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