Tater Tots
Tater tots are small, cylindrical pieces of grated potato that are typically deep-fried or baked and served as a side dish or snack.
Tater tots are small, cylindrical pieces of grated potato, typically deep-fried or baked and served as a side dish or snack. They were invented in the 1950s by Ore-Ida in Ontario, Oregon, as a way to use leftover potato scraps from French fry production.
What it is
Tater tots are made from grated potato formed into small cylinders and cooked until crisp. They are a frozen potato product often seasoned and bound with starches, then deep-fried or baked. The name combines "tater" (a dialect word for potato) and "tot" (implying small size).
Why it matters
Tater tots are a North American comfort food staple, appearing in school meals, restaurants, and home cooking. They are also associated with Minnesota's tater tot hotdish. In Canada, similar products are sold under names like Spud Puppies, making them familiar to Canadian shoppers.
Key details
"Tater Tot" is a registered trademark of Ore-Ida, though often used generically. The product was invented in the 1950s by Ore-Ida Foods, co-founded by F. Nephi and Golden Grigg, in Ontario, Oregon. International variants include Potato Gems and Potato Royals.
In short
- Invented in the 1950s by Ore-Ida in Ontario, Oregon.
- Made from grated potato scraps to reduce waste.
- Trademarked name, but often used generically.
- In Canada, sold as Spud Puppies.
Similar products are sold in Canada under names such as Spud Puppies, making tater tots familiar to Canadian shoppers and diners as a frozen potato side dish.
Quick questions
What are tater tots?
Who invented tater tots?
What are tater tots called in Canada?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_totsSupports: Definition, trademark status, and basic description of tater tots.
- Oregon Encyclopedia — https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/tater-tots-and-ore-ida-foods-co/Supports: Invention by Ore-Ida in Ontario, Oregon; international names including Spud Puppies in Canada; cultural references such as tater tot hotdish.