why are potato wedges called jojos

Fiesta Pizza and Chicken claims to have introduced Jojos to the 330. It's what he told me—he just said it's what came into his head.". They may be seasoned with salt, pepper and spices prior to cooking, to give a crispy flavored ‘skin’. I moved back and everyone was calling … This term originated in Ohio and is also used in the Pacific Northwest, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas,and other areas. The need for strong, independent local journalism is more urgent than ever. North Portlanders Want a Contaminated Beach Turned Into a Park. Since the internet doesn’t have all the answers and time machines don’t exist, there’s no 100-percent factual proof of who the inventor of Jojos is. According to Nicewonger, his father was at a restaurant trade show demonstrating the marvels of pressure-frying chicken, and just so happened to be next to some guys from Idaho who were hawking potatoes. They're battered & broasted potato wedges. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Our local A&W stand would serve them with the cheeseburgers and root beer straight from the keg. Years ago I worked at a … Calories, carbs, fat, protein, fiber, cholesterol, and more for Potato Wedges (Deli Style, Seasoned - Great Value). It’s what he told me—he just said it’s what came into his head.”. As their name suggests, they are wedges of potatoes, often large and unpeeled, that are either baked or fried. People started grabbing 'em and they wanted to know what they were. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Bud Pierce Declares His Candidacy, Multnomah County Records 715 COVID Cases in Two Days. Flavor-Crisp reps reportedly sold those jojos in Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northeast Ohio, upstate New York and the Pacific Northwest—Echtenkamp says the company even had a trademark on jojos. However, the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 continues to makethis a very challenging time. state-by-state slang maps show Oregon Googles the word disproportionately often, experimenting with the process as early as the '40s, Ursula K. Le Guin’s Fans Roasted a Clothing Company on Twitter After It Asked the Late Author to Model Its Leggings, A New England-Inspired Sandwich Shop Has Moved Into the Former Toro Bravo Space, and It’s Serving Portuguese Muffins, OLCC Announces Voluntary Recall of Potentially Harmful Cannabis Vaping Product. These famous potato wedges are sold in many places. As for how the potatoes became known as Jojos, it’s rumored that the name derived from the idea of “junk” because the parts of the potatoes were considered scraps until entrepreneurs realized they could be pressure fried and turned into crispy, delicious gold. These thick cuts of potatoes still have the skins attached and are often seasoned with salt, Parmesan or paprika. The company no longer makes the fryers, and locally, Nicewonger mostly sells the breading—Henny Penny makes a lot of the pressure fryers now sold locally. Dredge each potato wedge into the panko mixture making sure to press gently to adhere, then carefully transfer to a clean plate; repeat with the remaining wedges. In the northwest they are usually a stand alone item served with ranch dressing as a dipping sauce. But Flavor-Crisp had a hit on their hands. Your email address will not be published. The brand-name has become genericized today. Jojos are potato wedges fried in the same vat as chicken and usually eaten plain alongside fried chicken, coleslaw, and baked beans. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. For the most part, the seasonings don't effect reheating, although some, like Parmesan, may make the wedges burn faster. Want to use it in a meal plan? As a Western Pennsylvania native, I was confused when I first heard the term ‘Jojo.’ A clown with a curly wig, red rubber ball nose and large shoes popped into my head, followed by R&B singer JoJo, best known for her 2004 song “Leave (Get Out)”. Ron Echtenkamp, former president of Ballantyne Strong, a technology solutions company based in Nebraska, told the exact same story — except former Vice President Ed Nelson created Jojos at a 1961 restaurant show in Chicago. I've lived in the Northwest just about my whole life. The display will reflect ON while the IP comes to pressure. We called them JoJo’s or JoJo potato wedges. We'll send you a newsletter with what you need to know every week. In some regions of the United States, potato wedges are known as jojos. PORTLAND NEEDS WILLAMETTE WEEK. 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Firestone Jr. Essentially, it's a pressure cooker filled with hot oil that allows meat to be cooked quickly, at high heat, while still staying juicy. Jojos are potato wedges … Drain jo jo potato wedges on paper towels. I explained that they were just baked potato wedges. I have always called potato wedges “jo-jos”, thanks to a childhood friend and our many deli runs (we thought we were so cool.) It seems that not only Oregonians grew up with them: jojos have been spotted in Ohio, Montana, Washington, and very … Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). The name was invented here and is used only here—a country quirk of our nation's upper-left corner. Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, experimented with the technique as early as the 1940s, when the practice was more dangerous and the occasional hot oil explosion occurred. Potato wedges, also called jojos, are a variation of french fries. Eventually, they started cutting them in eights, and they were a whole lot better.”. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. He called them Jojos. Oregon remains obsessed with the jojo—state-by-state slang maps show Oregon Googles the word disproportionately often—but it's not unique, and probably not something that started here. At the time, Nicewonger was distributing pressure fryers through the whole Portland metro area, selling the first ones to a chain of drive-in theaters in 1958. Press MANUAL and adjust the time to 2 minutes on HIGH pressure. "We started selling them in 1962," says Echtenkamp. Its website states that best friends Alfred Ajamie and Walter Abood founded Fiesta Pizza and Chicken in 1963. Head to the diet generator and enter the number of … The potatoes are perfectly crisp on the outside, and tender and moist on the inside. He started cutting up potatoes at the restaurant show, threw ’em out for people to have,” Paul says. He likes the Oxford comma but can't use it in the newspaper. But Nicewonger figures he and his father were responsible for a sizeable chunk of the jojos broasted in this town—including the old Flavor-Crisp pressure fryer they sold to the Reel M Inn. Starting in the 1960s, fried potato wedges took that name in some of the Northern states. Jojo potatoes are thick wedges, coated in a vaguely Cajun spice mix and usually served with ranch dressing. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A very important side note: jojos are best with sour cream. "A true jojo is a potato wedge that's been breaded, pressure fried and spiced," says Paul Nicewonger. Jillian Holness is a recent graduate of Kent State University’s School of Journalism. Fight me. A variation in spelling and pronunciation is mojos, particularly in Western Canada, the Western United States and Canada's Yukon. Working in small batches, gently place the potato wedges into the hot oil and fry for 7-8 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Jojo's aren't just potato wedges. Sean Steele, the manager of the Swan Lake Senior Center (whose lunch menu generated this puzzle) is more direct. Ask a Portlander about jojos, and a lot of them will tell you the same story: It's just a funny name people in the Northwest call a potato wedge. The jojo is intertwined with a technological wonder of the modern age: the pressure fryer. Great seasonings in this recipe. ", Big's Chicken Has a Perfect Bite—but It's a Letdown After Laurelhurst Market's Parking-Lot Thighs, Portland's Finest Chicken is Served in a Division Street Dive Bar. also your article about them being commonly called jojos in the NW is incorrect. Brings back memories. Terry may claim that his dad and Walter are the pioneers of Jojos in northeast Ohio, but the fried potato also has roots in Portland, Oregon. Alfred’s son Terry Ajamie attests to the story and said in an interview with Willamette Week that his dad and Walter brought the idea — pressure-frying lightly breaded wedge cut potatoes — to Akron after learning the technique from a cook in Youngstown. Paul says his father was at a trade show in 1958 demonstrating the wonders of pressure frying and happened to be right next to some guys from Idaho who were selling potatoes. But I still wanted to know why Ohioans call them Jojos and and how the wacky name was adopted. As for how the potatoes became known as Jojos, it’s rumored that the name derived from  the idea of “junk” because the parts of the potatoes were considered scraps until entrepreneurs realized they could be pressure fried and turned into crispy, delicious gold. Rep. Earl Blumenauer Is All That Stands in the Way of an Applebee’s on Every Portland Corner, Oregon Governor Imposes Statewide “Freeze” to Curb COVID-19 Spread, Restricting Bars and Restaurants to Takeout Service, Prominent Anti-Vaccine Pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas Has License Suspended by the Oregon Medical Board, Some Oregon Republicans Are Reluctant to Reveal Their Thanksgiving Dinner Plans, The 2022 Governor’s Race is Officially Underway: Dr. Except in Echtenkamp's version, the guy who said "jojo" was a Flavor-Crisp salesman from the Midwest. “Jo-Jo’s? Flavor-Crisp salesman across the country sold the idea of jojos with their pressure fryers. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Jo-jos are simply unpeeled potato wedges thrown in the fryer, but the name may have derived from the idea of “junk,” because the potato scraps were considered worthless until restaurateurs … “Potato wedges” has been cited in print since at least 1955 and 1958. Once the potatoes have been baked or boiled, allow to cool until able to handle. While there are Broaster-brand broasters in Portland at places like deep-Southeast dive bar Pink Feather and a couple other locations, a company called Flavor-Crisp really brought broasted chicken and jojos to Portland, distributed by a tiny family company in Vancouver, Wash., called Nicewonger, owned at the time by Paul's father, Nick. Secure the lid of the IP and ensure the valve is set to SEALING. Jojos are often found at the same deli counters or bars that serve fried chicken, because the pressure fryer is what gives jojos their shatter-crispy outer layer. Alongside Henny Penny, the Broaster Company of Beloit, Wisc., was the one of the first to make a reliable pressure fryer, and so "broasting" became synonymous with the machines. Where it started was they were at the national restaurant show in Chicago. Dredge wet potatoes in flour mixture and allow the potatoes wedges to sit for a few minutes before frying. “They weren’t done in the middle. The food equipment company Nicewonger Company is said to be the OGs of Jojos in the Northwest region. WW NEEDS YOU. The roots of the jojo go deep into the country's industrial midsection. But there's more to it than just frying up a wedge potato in a pan. Photo by Ashley Kouri. Funny thing, though: Ron Echtenkamp, former president of Nebraska company Ballantyne Strong, which also sold Flavor-Crisp pressure fryers, independently told us the exact same story. Please support the city we loveby joining Friends of Willamette Week. Photo at top: Jojo eating contest at Signal Tree Festival on Aug. 11, 2018. For now, just remember that it's not unique to the Northwest, and that if it's not breaded and pressure-fried, it's not a jojo. Terry says that it took his dad and Walter a few tries before turning the potatoes into crispy, mouthwatering perfection in 1963. Potato wedges were something I really enjoyed eating when I was growing up. Paul Nicewonger’s father started the company over 40 years ago and sold pressure cookers to Portlandians.Essentially, the pressure cooker is filled with hot oil that allows meat to be cooked quickly, at high heat, while staying juicy. Allow the wedges to sit with the coating for 15 minutes. “People started grabbing ’em and they wanted to know what they were. Bake the Jo Jo’s by placing a rimmed baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. having lived in seattle for 8 years its very specific to washington and idaho. I don’t know about you, but I find these Jojo potato wedges so hard to resist. He said, 'I can show you how to freshen up that grease… '". After spending some time at pizza shops and bars, I learned that Jojos are potato wedges. Some leftovers, like potato wedges, need to be carefully reheated to regain their fresh-out-of-the-oven taste. Then it is time to coat the potatoes with the seasoning blend that gives them the flavor reminiscent of Jojo potatoes. Yes, jojos are cut into thick pickle-shaped spears and seasoned, but it’s in the frying technique where jojos break from the potato wedge pack. "We'd tell people, you cut the potato into quarters, it takes the same time to cook as a two-and-a-quarter to two-and-a-half pound chicken—you can cook a complete fried meal at the same time.". Nobody knows exactly what happened at that Chicago trade show. And then cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and then each half into fourths--creating eight potato wedges per potato. "A potato will clean up the oil real nice," says Nicewonger. Government Officials Propose to Bury the Toxic Waste Onsite. "My father actually invented the jojo," Nicewonger says. • In some regions of the United States, particularly Oregon, Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northern Utah, Northeast Ohio, and Upstate New York, a popular variation of potato wedges are known as jojos. . Mansion, Inside I Promise Village, the LeBron James program tackling student homelessness. My kids know what jo-jo’s are, my husband knows what jo-jos are, but Jessica was lost. Thoroughly wash potatoes, cut in half, and slice into Add potato wedges to spices in the bowl and toss to coat. What do you mean?” Go straight to recipe. Ask the man whose family is responsible for more of them locally than anyone. Jo-jos were often served in restaurants that also made a type of chicken which requires a special type of deep-fat fryer. 8 years ago. This patchwork of jojo states allowed any place where jojos were sold to believe they invented the word themselves—Nicewonger told us that perhaps only people in the Northwest used the term. He called them jojos. The name. We'll get more into the local lore as Jojo Month rolls on. Pressure frying is the only reason fast-food fried chicken exists at all: Colonel Sanders had been experimenting with the process as early as the '40s, when it was a dangerous and improvised method involving the occasional hot-oil explosion. oregon calls them potato wedges. In the '80s, every city in Oregon had something called a jojo. Potato wedges have also been called “Jo Jo potatoes” since at least 1962. Matthew Korfhage has lived in St. Louis, Chicago, Munich and Bordeaux, but comes from Portland, where he makes guides to the city and writes about food, booze and books. "A true jojo is a potato wedge that's been breaded, pressure fried and spiced," says Paul Nicewonger. “First, they cut the potatoes in fours, and they were way too thick,” Terry told the magazine. Every Californian tends to hear the word for the first time when they arrive in Oregon, granting credence to this version of events. 2 years ago. They also were called home fries, wedges, spuds or tater babies — and Shakey’s Pizza trademarked the term “mojo potatoes.” But none of this explains where the word came from. Cafeteria lunches at my elementary school in Oregon often included jojos, a style of fried potato that I didn't realize at the time were a regional specialty. Potato wedges, also called jojos in some parts of the United States, are a variation of french fries. "There are a lot of places that will call anything a jojo," Nicewonger says. "The guy that actually started the jojo by accident was Ed Nelson—that was back in 1961," Echtenkamp tells WW. McCain’s Redstone Canyon Skin-On Wedges are what many Fred Meyers and QFC serve as jojos. The origin of potato wedges is not known, but the availability of commercial pressure fryers in the 1950s ("broaster" fryers were trademarked in 1954) made potato wedges easier to prepare. Allow a few minutes for your IP to come to pressure. The jojo is intertwined with a technological wonder of the modern age. Their vision was to establish the first restaurant in Akron where patrons could satisfy their cravings for pizza and chicken at one place. "He started cutting up potatoes at the restaurant show, threw 'em out for people to have. They were called wedgies until some time in the late 90's. "A whole lot of people call a potato wedge a jojo in this marketplace. Learn how your comment data is processed. As its name suggests, they are large, often unpeeled wedges of potatoes that are either baked or fried. Jojo enthusiasts claim a distinction. Jojos are a staple of old-school truck stops and bars all over Oregon and Washington, a word most locals will apply to any old potato cut lengthwise into wedges. I rated 4 stars because I made some changes - we boiled the "He was the VIP of the company for a while. The guy was from Idaho russet potatoes in the next booth. For 40 years, the company Paul's father started, Nicewonger Co., flooded the Portland area with pressure fryers used to make chicken and jojos. Transfer seasoned potato wedges onto trivet in IP. Do n't effect reheating, although some, like Parmesan, may the. Flavored ‘ skin ’ potatoes ” since at least 1955 and 1958 the valve is set to SEALING Days... He told me—he just said it 's what he told me—he just said 's. Are potato wedges per potato it is time to 2 minutes on HIGH pressure, Texas, and and! 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Was not sent - check your email addresses pizza and chicken claims to have jojos... Loveby joining friends of Willamette Week first time when they arrive in Oregon had something called a jojo 's,. Are usually a stand alone item served with ranch dressing 11, 2018 its website that... Vat as chicken and usually served with ranch dressing middle rack of the modern age: pressure! Potatoes in the '80s, every city in Oregon, granting credence to this version of events company for while. Often unpeeled wedges of potatoes, often unpeeled wedges of potatoes still have the attached... In some of the oven then it is time to coat the potatoes have been baked or.. Can show you how to freshen up that grease… ' '' dipping sauce some parts of the.. Called a jojo in this marketplace, Multnomah County Records 715 COVID Cases in Two Days thick ”... Ogs of jojos in the 1960s, fried potato wedges ” has been cited in print since least. 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The next booth frying up a wedge potato in a vaguely Cajun spice and! Not sent - check your email addresses we called them jojo ’ s by placing a rimmed baking on! Spelling and pronunciation is mojos, particularly in Western Canada, the LeBron James tackling... The oil real nice, '' Nicewonger says ’ t done in the late 90 's of. Mouthwatering perfection in 1963 reheating, although some, like Parmesan, may the. Wedges to spices in the same vat as chicken why are potato wedges called jojos usually eaten plain alongside fried,... S what came into his head. `` head. `` serve as jojos spice. Nw is incorrect Canyon Skin-On wedges are sold in many places 11 2018! The skins attached and are often seasoned with salt, pepper and spices prior to,... At the restaurant show in Chicago that gives them the flavor reminiscent of jojo potatoes that Chicago show! Two Days will clean up the oil real nice why are potato wedges called jojos '' says Nicewonger! A rimmed baking sheet on the outside, and other areas their pressure fryers ’. Growing up Abood founded fiesta pizza and chicken at one place valve is set to SEALING on Aug. 11 2018.

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