Sweet & Savory Potato Candy (Gamja Mattang) – A Nostalgic Treat
Make Deliciously Sweet, Mild, and Nutty Potato Candy All By Yourself!
I absolutely love potatoes! I eat them quite often, and one day I craved something sweet with potatoes. So, I decided to make Gamja Mattang, a sweet potato candy. This recipe brings back fond memories and is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp water
- 4 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 pinch salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized cubes, about 1.5 cm. Cutting them too small might cause them to break apart during cooking, so aim for a consistent, manageable size.
Step 2
Place the cubed potatoes in a bowl of cold water and sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch, which makes the potatoes firmer and less likely to crumble when fried. It also helps to remove any raw potato taste.
Step 3
After soaking, drain the potatoes and very thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth. Ensuring they are completely dry is crucial because any remaining moisture can cause hot oil to splatter, making the frying process unsafe. This is a key step for a safe and delicious outcome.
Step 4
Place the dried potato cubes into a *cold* pan, then add the 4 tablespoons of cooking oil. It’s important to start with a cold pan so the potatoes cook evenly and develop a beautiful golden-brown color without burning. Turn the heat to medium and gently fry the potatoes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and golden. You can check for doneness by piercing a potato cube with a chopstick; it should slide in easily.
Step 5
Once the potatoes are nicely fried, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the syrup. In a clean pan (you can wipe out the previous one if needed), combine 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cook over low heat. **Do not stir the mixture with a spoon or utensil!** Stirring can cause the sugar to crystallize later, resulting in a hard candy. Instead, gently swirl the pan occasionally as the sugar dissolves and small bubbles begin to form.
Step 7
When the syrup starts to bubble and turns a light amber color, quickly add the fried potato cubes to the pan. Stir them rapidly over low heat to coat each piece evenly with the syrup. Keep stirring for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, making sure to prevent the syrup from burning.
Step 8
Your delicious Gamja Mattang is ready! Transfer the syruped potatoes to a serving plate. They are wonderful when eaten warm, or you can let them cool down for a chewier, slightly more crystallized texture. Enjoy this delightful homemade treat!
