S4 Ep 17: The History Of French Fries With Guest Gus Constantellis

In this episode of Sprung On Food, I delve deep into the universally adored, yet humbly simple French fry. Paired with the humorous musings of standup comedian and self-proclaimed fry aficionado, Gus Constantellis, we uncover both personal stories and an intriguing historical journey of this golden classic.

My Love Affair with French Fries

I kick off the episode by introducing Gus, highlighting his comedic flair and passion for food. He recounts his fond childhood memories linking French fries to his mother's clever culinary tactics. French fries were the bait to make him eat less appealing dishes like lentil soup. "It worked like a charm, and now I’m obsessed," Gus confesses, admitting that fries are a staple in his diet even today.

Ketchup Extravaganza: A South African Treasure

Amusingly, Gus shares his newfound adoration for South African ketchup, brought back from a trip to Cape Town. "It's a match made in heaven!" he exclaims, rhapsodizing over the purity and robust flavor of this condiment, a sentiment I eagerly echo, hoping for future sponsorships.

The Origin Tale of the French Fry

I dive into the origin of fries, debunking their misleading name. As I narrate, the story of fries possibly begins in Belgium during the 1600s when locals, unable to fish due to frozen rivers, started frying potatoes. I discuss how the fry's journeys across South America and Europe shaped its rise in worldwide popularity.

A Slice of History: The Evolution of French Fries

Our discussion turns stateside as I highlight Thomas Jefferson's role in introducing fried potatoes to America, sharing how fries became an American diner darling, eventually evolving into a fast-food phenomenon with McDonald's leading the charge. Fun fact: McDonald's serves a staggering nine million pounds of fries daily!

For the Love of Homemade and Gourmet Fries

Gus nostalgically recalls his mom’s homemade fries and critiques frozen varieties, declaring them inferior. His love for fresh-cut, homemade fries reflects how special they were in his upbringing. I also recount the evolution of fries into gourmet creations, from duck fat fries to Canadian poutine, broadening my appreciation for fry’s cultural spectrum.

The Art and Science Behind the Perfect Fry

Here, I enlighten listeners with the science of creating the perfect fry, emphasizing the dual-frying technique and the crucial Maillard reaction that gives fries their irresistible crispy texture. Gus nods along, relating these tips to his own fry-making process, acquired from his mother.

A Closer Look at Pop Culture and French Fries

I touch on iconic pop culture references like Pulp Fiction's fry scene and Aqua Teen Hunger Force's Fry Lock. I also challenge Gus to guess some remarkable fry feats from the Guinness World Records, where hilarity ensues as he wildly underestimates the scale of record-breaking fries.

Final Thoughts and Fry Fantasies

As our conversation wraps up, Gus pitches a tantalizing idea—a French fry tasting party with a mix of globally sourced fries and ketchups. Intrigued and eager, I quickly join the prospective fry-tasting panel, ensuring my participation in what promises to be a unique culinary adventure.

You can watch each episode, in its video version, on YouTube here.
Follow on Instagram for some behind the scenes and short form content here.
Listen to each episode as a podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.