Southwestern Roasted Spiced Potato Spears

French fries are great. I love them and eat them all the time. But these Southwestern spiced roasted potato spears are even better. They take French fries to a whole new level. I served them with my tamale pie. Tamale Pie

Potatoes have been a part of the diets in the Americas, both North and South, for 1000’s of years. Long before the arrival of the classic Andean potato (Solanum tuberosum) to North America, Indigenous peoples in the Southwest were harvesting, transporting, and intentionally cultivating a small wild tuber known as the Four Corners potato (Solanum jamesii). They have been harvest by the native people of both Colorado and Utah for at least 10,900 years. Genetic analysis reveals that Ancestral Pueblo, Ute, and Diné (Navajo) ancestors transported and actively cultivated these wild potatoes far outside their natural geographic range, participating in an extensive foodways network across Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Potatoes and other tuber vegetables thrive in arid, high desert climates.

Southwestern Roasted Spiced Potato Spears

When I made my Southwestern potatoes, I did not use the Solanum jamesii variety. I just used fingerling potatoes instead. But they were unbeknownst to me at the time, cooked in a similar fashion to the ways of their early Southwestern ancestors.

2-3 lbs potatoes, cleaned and cut into spears or wedges

1 TBSP garlic

3-4 TBSP olive oil

salt to taste

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste

Preheat the oven to 350*F or 180*C.

Combine all the ingredients together well and toss the potato spears into the dressing to thoroughly coat them.

Spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for about 1 hour or until the potatoes are crisp and golden brown. Sprinkle a little parsley on top and eat them while they are hot and crispy. These are definitely a crowd pleaser. I promise you will really like these spicy, crispy spears a lot. They will spice up any dish you serve them next to. 🙂

Have a great day and maker everyday great. Life is short. Live life to the fullest, enjoy the ride, and savor the flavors. ‘Til next time.