Monday, March 15, 2010

an oldie but a goodie



Does anyone even know what this kitchen gadget is? Definitely an oldie. Definitely a goodie. It's a potato masher. Can you even buy them new anymore?


I was with my mom this weekend. She's no longer living in her home and she asked if there was anything I wanted from the house. I didn't know of anything off the top of my head but she said just to go take a look.


I did look. I found lots I'd like to have but what I settled on were the potato masher above and a meat cleaver. Why? Memories. Lots of them and all good.


My mother cooked. Alot. Not just for us, the family, but for hired men. It wasn't unusual for her to feed 6 or 8 men at noon. No sandwiches and chips either. Real food, manly food. Things like pork chops, swiss steak, meatloaf, or roast beef with all the fixings - - salad, jello, a vegetable, homemade bread, dessert and yes, mashed potatoes. That's why I remember that potato masher. No electric mixer for her. Just elbow grease.


After my 'looksee' at the house, I went back to the care home to see Mom. She asked if I took anything. She laughed when I told her what I laid claim to. She won't be laughing anymore though when I tell her I've already used that potato masher. Yes siree. I made mashed potatoes tonight for dinner and I didn't even bother with the electric mixer. Just good old fashioned elbow grease and my well seasoned potato masher. They were quite possibly the best mashed potatoes I've ever made.

11 comments:

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

I love it! You can't beat memories...xoxo

anne marie said...

I have a potato masher just like that one!! My mom had one too!

Anonymous said...

we have one of those too and it is put to regular use!!! its also good to break up ground beef...but its intended use is the tops - makes THE best potato consistency!

Minnie said...

Too funny. Yes, you can buy them, but they don't work near as well.

Anonymous said...

i've got one - I used it to smash berries too.

Unknown said...

I have one and use it everytime I make mashed potatoes. For really cremy potatoes I use that and then the electric mixer though

Nancy said...

@Anonymous - hadn't thought of using it for breaking up ground beef. Thank you.

@dmoms - berries? Is that for making jams?

I think I'll try mine for making homemade refried beans too. I've got some pintos in my freezer that are just waiting...

Anonymous said...

I have one just like this one too that I got at a flea market a few weeks back. I have some of my own too. I hardly ever get the elec. mixer out unless I want really smooth potatoes. Gracen was at the house last week and wondered what I was doing--I was mashing potatoes the old fashion way. I still prefer that way with a few lumps in them! ha

larissa said...

Beautiful story about your mom and all the love she put into her food. I use a similar mixer to mash potatoes - in fact, i never even thought of mashing potatoes with a mixer. You have a lovely space here - thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Anonymous said...

love this! love you and your mom together, love that these are the memories you took.

and i love all these extra potato masher ideas!

i use one too. leaves lots of nice lumps which we like!

Sarah H. said...

That is beautiful.