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Hungry for History Honors the Salt Potato Hungry for History Honors the Salt Potato

By Sierra Ryder

Sierra Ryder: On the surface its a simple Syracuse staple.
Bob Searing: Salt potatoes are something that was created here and is sort of a taste of home that the Syracusan’s take with them.
Ryder: But if you dig deeper…these Syracuse potatoes have a rich history. dating back to the 1800s.
Searing: We know the folklore because they were invented by the salt workers in the salt block sometime in the 19th century but what I was able to find is a direct connection and documented sources that connect.
Ryder: So much history that this dish will be the recipient of the pomeroy foundations newest grant program…hungry for history.
Deryn Pomeroy: Everyone seems very proud to share, you know, what is unique and special about their food in their region. And so it just seems like this is a perfect topic to create its own market grant program surrounding it.
Ryder: There are a few requirements the dish must pass to be eligible for the grant…including historical significance and a minimum of two ingredients. And create a marker that will recognize its history…but there are some requirements to get this title…it must be created prior to 1960…has historical significance to the community….and is available today.
With the salt potato passing those requirements this dish will not just be enjoyed at the local restaurants around town but its history will be celebrated.
Pomeroy: I think, you know, we eat these foods without really understanding, you know, some of the really cool origin stories behind them that they came from.
Ryder: The salt potato will be the first to receive a marker commemorating its hungry for history program grant…as the program looks to receive more recipe applications from around the country.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Today was a big day for the salt potato in Syracuse. The Pomeroy Foundation launched its Hungry for History grant program with the inaugural marker in Syracuse. The marker will honor the historical Syracuse salt potato.

“In Syracuse people aren’t even really aware that Syracuse was the main provider of salt to the entire country at one point,” said Deryn Pomeroy, founder of the Hungry for History program. “I think it’s a great aspect to share about Syracuse.”

The salt potato dates back to the 19th century when Irish immigrants were working on the salt flats. To commemorate this history, the first ever marker will be placed at the Salt Museum on Onondaga Lake.

“At one point 600 acres around the lake were covered by salt blocks so it’s the perfect spot for the marker,” said Bob Searing, historian at the Onondaga Historical Association.

The main goal of the Hungry for History program is to ensure that local dishes, like the salt potato, are not just eaten, but that the history behind the meal is preserved. In order for a dish to be eligible for a marker, there are various requirements that the meal must go through as well. This includes the following:

  • Ready-to-eat dish
  • Contains at least 2 ingredients
  • Dish is created prior to 1960
  • Dish has historical significance
  • Dish is still available today

The salt potato fulfills those requirements. Plus the Onondaga Historical Association was able to prove the history.

“We know the folklore that they were invented by the salt workers sometime in the 19th century, but I was able to find a direct connection to an Irish immigrant who came to Syracuse in the 1830s and started working in the salt industry in the 1840s. It’s been really exciting to work on,” said Searing.

Now, when people attend the Salt Museum, they will be reminded of the history that backs the popular dish.

“People love salt potatoes,” said Searing. “Food is that connection to memory. So I think there is a real romanticism and love and nostalgia for the potato.”

The Pomeroy Foundation expects more applications from the area to come in for the Hungry for History grant as well as around the nation.

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