stamppotten

Stamppot is a traditional Dutch dish consisting of mashed potatoes blended with a vegetable, most often greens or pickled vegetables, and typically served with sausage or other meat. The dish is a winter staple in the Netherlands and is commonly accompanied by rookworst, a smoked sausage, and sometimes with gravy or mustard.

Preparation involves boiling potatoes until tender, pre-cooking the vegetable component, and then folding or mixing the vegetables into the mashed potatoes. Common varieties include boerenkoolstamppot (mashed potatoes with kale), zuurkoolstamppot (mashed potatoes with sauerkraut), and hutspot (mashed potatoes with carrots and onions). Butter, milk or cream, and pepper or salt are often added to achieve a creamy texture and rich flavor.

Historically, stamppot is associated with Dutch winter meals and rural, working-class cooking. The exact origins are not precisely documented, and the name stamppot derives from the process of stamping or mashing the ingredients together. Hutspot, in particular, has several folklore connections, including legends tied to historical sieges, but these stories are not definitively proven and are considered part of regional tradition.

Variants extend beyond the main forms, including andijviestamppot (with endive) and spinaziestamppot (with spinach). Across the Netherlands, stamppot is valued for its simplicity, warmth, and adaptability, reflecting regional ingredients and preferences while remaining a recognizable symbol of Dutch comfort cuisine.