Canned and Frozen Potatoes
Processed white potatoes are available in many forms, including canned, small whole, or sliced potatoes and French-fried shoe strings, vacuum-packed and ready-to-eat. Frozen potatoes, in many sizes and shapes, are available either fried or unfried. The frozen unfried products are ready-to-cook patties and whole, sliced, diced, or shredded potatoes. Frozen French-fried potatoes include the ever-popular strips, sliced or diced products, patties, and puffs. Most frozen French fries for home use are designed for preparation in the oven, although deep or shallow frying also produces excellent results.
Top-quality frozen French fries can range in length from two to three inches, although the length of the French fries in individual packages should be fairy uniform. Top-quality French fries also have a uniform color (from light to medium brown when “fried”). They are uniform in shape and have few if any defects such as dark spots and pieces of peel. Texture may vary a little from brand to brand depending on the variety of potato used by the packer, but French fries should be tender, cooked throughout, and not soggy. Traditional French fries are moderately crisp on the surface while shoestrings and dices may be quite crisp throughout.
