February 2, 2024
Since January 22nd, which happened to be National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day, Flambé has been asking non stop questions about almost everything, impatiently expecting instant answers. Meeee-owwww! Have I released the FrankenKat? Like a child who’s just discovered speech, and must know answers to all the Who’s, What’s, When’s, Where’s and the Why-Why-Why’s in her world, Flambé is tireless. Maybe there’s a National Teach Your Cat to “Google“ Day? While that may take some of the pressure off of me, wouldn’t that be like plugging in FrankenKat, supercharging then enabling an entire new race of Felis catus to evolve and take over Earth? Interesting scenario, but highly unlikely. A species without thumbs could never rise to such power! (Or could they?)
Ok, I’m way off track. Back to my chatty Kat.
A few days ago, Flambé asked a hilarious (to me) question and before busting out in an uncontrollable belly laughing episode, I asked her to repeat the inquiry. Maybe my ears had tricked me? So Kat asked very seriously again, “What’s a Tater Tot?” !!!!
Suppressing my laughter (still), I was relieved to know not a thing was wrong with my hearing. Without answering her question, I said, “As it just so happens, you’ve stumbled upon a remarkable coincidence. Today happens to be National Tater Tot Day; let’s search for answers together!”
And this is what we learned:
National Tater Tot Day is a food holiday celebrating the popular snack made from grated and fried potatoes. It is observed annually on February 2nd and is a day to indulge in Tater Tots in all of their crispy, golden, and delicious glory.
The True Story Behind the Tater Tot
The year was 1953. The location was Ontario, Oregon. The owners of Ore-Ida, F. Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg, we’re cooking up something new. Inspired by mountains of leftover slivers of cut-up potatoes, instead of always disposing of this “waste,” they began experimenting with these still edible bits of spuds. Finding tasty seasonings and using flour as a binder, the slivers were sliced into even smaller bits and all ingredients were combined into a mash. The mash was then pushed (extruded) through holes creating a shredded potato mixture that was deep fried. Tater Tots were born ……..
…….. But they were born without an official name. So what to do?
The Griggs decided to hold a naming contest. Out of all the entries received, the winner was Clara Lay Orton, who came up with the now famous name “Tater Tots.” Loosely translated as “baby potatoes,” Tater Tots were sold for the first time under their new name in 1956. Since then many other manufacturers have tried to copy the Ore-Ida recipe, calling their tots names like tater treats, tasti-taters, potato rounds, potato toes, potato nuggets, potato crunchies, spud puppies, and taytoe tubes. Ore-Ida calls these imposters “imi-taters!”
Not only edible, but wildly popular around the world!
Tater Tots were an instant success (and a profitable money maker for the Griggs) around the world, becoming all the rage in the United States. Statistics show that in the U.S. alone, Americans consume 70 million pounds of tots in a year which is equivalent to 3.1 billion individual cylinders. This also translates to gobbling up 192,000 pounds a day of those mashed up little potato slivers once destined for the rubbish heap. Potatoes are one of the most consumed foods in the States, so it’s no wonder Tater Tots were such a huge success. Deeply ingrained in the American identity, Tots “rank as one of the most commonly consumed meals in almost every household in the U.S.” This irresistible invention may actually be considered a delicacy loved and consumed by millions of people.
Skeptical at best …….
Flambé continued asking countless questions, but mostly questioned the use of the questionable “delicacy” label. So to satisfy her curiosity (and hopefully her appetite) it was time to conduct our own taste test. Tumbling out a few dozen frozen tubes onto a baking sheet, I popped them in a hot oven to cook. After waiting the recommended 18-21 minutes, they emerged quite crispy on the outside; soft and steamy on the inside.
A little nibble of a naked Tot told us both that a condiment of some type might enhance the flavor. The choices are many ….. from ketchup to cider vinegar, honey mustard to barbecue sauce, ranch to blue cheese dressing, and even hummus, spinach/artichoke or jalapeño dip. Maybe merely more iodized, pink or kosher salt from a shaker or perhaps a touch of soy? Flambé had to try her favorite, Thai fish sauce on one of her Tots; canned salmon oil on another. But, alas, it was clear our condiment(s) of choice covered up the shredded potato taste of our Tater Tots. And Kat finally came to realize there’s a reason potatoes aren’t a staple or even a minor ingredient found in feline fare…… she was purrr-fectly happy to flick away the Tots and devour the fish sauce-coated salmon fillets, declaring, “Now this is a true delicacy!” And with both her appetite and curiosity well satisfied, Flambé headed to bed for a well deserved katnap.
So while Flambé is snoozing, run on down to your local grocer, buy a bag, and cook up a generous batch of Ore-Ida’s finest in celebration of lNational Tater Tot Day. Let me know how they turned out. And while indulging your inner child, consider these questions:
–Are you a Tater Tot greenhorn, tenderfoot (newbie), dabbler, devotee,connoisseur? -Do you prefer your Tater Tots piping hot, right out of the oven, or with a condiment? -How many condiments have you tried and what are your favorites? -Based on your experience, what’s the strangest Tot topping you’ve ever had? -Have you ever been to a dinner party where the appetizers include Tater Tots with little toothpicks and a dip buffet, or perhaps Totchos sprinkled with cheese over a bed of spicy jalapeños? -Have you ever been to a dinner party, maybe even the same one just mentioned, where the main course is a Tot Casserole, Tot-Ka-Bobs, Chicken Tot Pie, or a Tot-Tofu Stirfry? Have you ever been caught up in Tater Tot Mania or have had your fill & are ready to surrender?
Final Thoughts (Finally!)
If you just can’t bring yourself to acknowledge today as National Tater Tot Day, preferring your spuds in other more healthful ways, feel free to celebrate National Groundhog Day (did he see his shadow where you live?) or World Play Your Ukulele Day …… both fall on February 2nd! Hmmmmmmmm ….. Maybe I’ll compose a little ballad in honor of the Tot, and spend today strumming it on my uke!
Footnote: After examining my Zentangle tribute to the Tater Tot, Flambé tried to sneak in another question, “Do koalas crave or even like Tater Tots?” But I reminded her that today we’ve barely had enough time to answer her first question, let alone two. And until National Teach Your Cat to “Google“ Day becomes a thing, she will just have to remain curious!
Tot-Tot Until Next Time!
Final Footnote: Kat said the blueberry smothered Tater Tots with a side of whipped swirls, at center stage in my Zentangle tribute might just sway her to give Tots another try. I’m thinking that might appease her sweet tooth!
a curious nature 