Fingerling potato
Solanum tuberosum
Distinctive nutty, earthy, often described as 'potato concentrate'; richer than standard potatoes; varies notably by cultivar.
About Fingerling
Fingerling potatoes are the small, elongated, irregularly-shaped heirloom potato varieties — Russian Banana, French Fingerling, Ruby Crescent, La Ratte, Princess Laratte, and others. The waxy-to-medium starch content varies by cultivar but all share the small size and characteristic fingerlike shape. Fingerlings are the premium-priced cooking potato — typically $4-6/lb vs $1-2 for Russets — and earn the premium through visual presentation and dense, distinctive flavors. La Ratte fingerlings are particularly prized in French cuisine for their nutty, dense flavor. The small size means fingerlings cook quickly without cutting; they're typically halved lengthwise and roasted whole.
Variety profile
Common uses
- Roasted fingerling side
- Warm potato salad
- Steakhouse accompaniment
- Salade Lyonnaise
- Pan-fried with herbs
Editorial notes
The visual variety in a fingerling medley is the selling point — buy mixed-cultivar bags for the maximum flavor range. La Ratte cultivar is the premium standard.