The ice cream potato is a unique dessert of ice cream resembling a loaded baked potato.[1][2] The dish does not contain any potato.[3] Lou Aaron, of Westside Drive In in Boise, Idaho, created the dish.[3] It can be found there year-round and various fairs and outdoor events seasonally.[1][4] It is difficult to acquire outside of Idaho.[4]
 Ice cream potato from Westside Drive In | |
| Type | Ice cream |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Idaho |
| Main ingredients | Ice cream, cocoa |
The dish is an acknowledgement of the importance of the potato in Idaho's culture, as it is also the state vegetable.[5]
The creator, Lou Aaron, reportedly spent 40 years perfecting the recipe.[5][6] It is estimated Westside Drive In sells over 1,000 a month and 10,000 in nine days at the Western Idaho Fair.[5][6]
Vanilla ice cream is molded into a potato shape and coated with cocoa powder to mimic brown skin.[1] The ice cream potato is then topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and chocolate syrup.[1] Some vendors offer variations with yellow frosting as "butter" and green sprinkles as "chives."[1]
It can also be found prepackaged in convenience stores.[5]
The Westside Drive-In and its ice cream potato were featured on a Boise-focused episode of the Travel Channel's Man v. Food in 2018.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "The Potato-Shaped Sundae of Boise, Idaho". Atlas Obscura. May 14, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ "Westside Drive-In Is The Birthplace Of Idaho's Most Iconic Dessert, The Ice Cream Potato". OnlyInYourState®. March 26, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Buiano, Madeline (July 1, 2020). "Westside Drive-In Idaho Ice Cream Potato". The Daily Meal. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Michael, Grace (December 1, 2021). "Obviously a Popular Dessert in Idaho Is an Ice Cream Potato". Spoon University. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Hoeller, Sophie-Claire (February 24, 2020). "I tried Idaho's famous 'Ice Cream Potato' topped with whipped cream and chocolate 'dirt,' and it was delicious". Insider. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Bromann, Valerie (August 31, 2019). "Ice Cream Potato at Westside Drive In in Boise, Idaho". Silly America. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ EVERY BOISE RESTAURANT THAT APPEARED ON MAN V. FOOD