What specific shape were Jefferson's 1802 White House potatoes cut into according to early American descriptions?
Answer
Small slices, flat rounds, or shavings
The earliest documented serving of fried potatoes in the US, presented by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, involved a method that differed significantly from the familiar stick shape that became popular later. Jefferson’s chef, Honoré Julien, prepared 'potatoes served in the French manner' by deep-frying small slices while they were still raw. Subsequent descriptions, noted in a relative's cookbook referencing the style, clarified this by stating the potatoes were cut into flat rounds or described as being shaved 'round and round, as you would peel a lemon.' This preparation contrasts sharply with the thick-cut *pommes Pont-Neuf* associated with Paris or the standard baton shape that defines the modern fry.
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