Fresh rosemary and parsley, plus minced garlic, give these potato wedges delicious flavor. Roasted with olive oil, they become tender on the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. With only a few minutes of prep time, you can take potatoes to the next level and create a savory, aromatic side dish people will ask for again and again.
Rosemary is such a fascinating herb to me. Not only does it have an unforgettable and deeply lovely scent–it’s also hardy, easy to grow, and can live through the winter indoors in a pot placed in a sunny spot. Once the weather turns cold, I like to keep as many herbs as I can (or as many that will survive) in pots throughout the house. They smell good and are so nice to have close-by for cooking and baking. Rosemary is commonly known as the herb of remembrance. Apparently it has natural preservatives and enhances the brain’s memory function. Also, according to many sources, rosemary historically symbolizes remembrance–remembrance of friendship, of marriage vows, and of people we have lost. Sprigs of rosemary have been used as decorations at wedding ceremonies to encourage love and fidelity, and they have been placed at the gravesides of loved ones as tokens of loving memories.
The recipe I am sharing below is based on one I found in a very fun book: “China Bayles’ Book of Days: 365 Celebrations of The Mystery, Myth, and Magic of Herbs from the World of Pecan Springs,” by Susan Wittig Albert. I made a few minor changes, but I find that this recipe calls for just the right amount of herbs and spices for my and my family’s tastes, and the potatoes turn out great! I can’t wait to make them again!
This book also has lots of information about using herbs, including recipes, remedies, gardening tips, and the folklore behind many of the herbs we use today. I thoroughly enjoy continuously learning about the history and uses of herbs–the evolving knowledge brings new layers of meaning to cooking and gardening. Since my husband and I learned that rosemary symbolizes remembering marriage (we read this a few years ago in a different book), we have kept a rosemary plant growing either in or outside of our house as a symbol of tending to our marriage. Now that I have learned that rosemary also is a symbol of remembrance of those we have lost, I will use it as a way to cherish the memory of my dear father as well. 
As we try to make sense of our world and put our feelings into some kind of expression, herbs can help. As Shakespeare’s Ophelia says to Hamlet: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love, remember….”
We are now a little over halfway between the beginning of fall and the beginning of winter. The colors outside are more muted, but no less beautiful. A lot of the leaves are on the ground now, and the ones left on the trees are mostly rust or a faded gold color. The stars and the moon seem extra-bright lately, though maybe that’s because it is dark more now. This is one of the best times of the year for cooking and baking, and I look forward to sharing some more recipes with you soon. I hope you all have a great weekend! I think I will take a tray of these tasty potatoes over to Angie’s Fiesta Friday ink-up, co-hosted this week by Jhuls@The Not So Creative Cook and Kaila@GF Life 24/7.
Rosemary-Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 4-5 medium-sized red potatoes (or about 8 small ones), washed and cut into eighths
- 1-2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 sprigs of rosemary, chopped
- 2 teaspoon of parsley, chopped
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and cut the potatoes into eighths. Wash and chop the herbs, and mince the garlic. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, rosemary, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the potatoes wedges in the bowl with the olive oil-herb mixture. Make sure all the pieces are coated with oil–it will make it less likely that they will stick to the baking sheet. Place them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in your 400-degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until just crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. About 20 minutes into the baking time, use a spatula to toss and flip the potatoes so they bake somewhat evenly. If they stick a little, just use the spatula to unstick them and move them around. If you don’t want to clean up a messy baking sheet, you can also coat the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Once they are done, you may add more salt and pepper, if you like. Enjoy!
I love oven roasted potatoes they look delicious and flavoring with rosemary and garlic makes them even better.
Thank you, Suzanne–I do too. Potatoes are total comfort food to me. My kitchen smelled so good while they were roasting!
Yum, Jenny! These potatoes looks so good. I am right there with you on how you feel about rosemary. It is such a fresh herb, but when used incorrectly you can turn anything into a Christmas Tree in flavor (not that I would know). We are currently going through a warm spell. I think I still have time to go out and dig up my rosemary. Would hate for Old Man Winter to get the best of it…
Haha Debbie, you are right about not using too much rosemary–not that I would know about that either…:) Luckily, this recipe does not over-do it! I think you should try digging up your plant and putting it in a pot for winter–it smells so good in the house!
Such interesting meaning behind rosemary. I’ve always loved this herb and potatoes are its natural friend. Garlic and rosemary can enhance almost anything savory. Beautiful nature photos!
Thank you Amanda. I would like to study more about the history behind different herbs–it makes growing them and using them more fun. Thanks about the photos–it is so beautiful outside these days!
Simple, beautiful and so tasty! 🙂
Thank you, Linda! Happy Fiesta Friday to you.
I love garlic and potatoes and the rosemary is such a nice addition! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I hope you are having a nice weekend!
You’re right – rosemary is pretty fascinating. And you really have to know how to not OVER use it like I probably did when I started cooking a million years ago!
Thank you, Mimi. Yes, I agree–sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find that pleasing amount of an herb. 🙂
I love roasted potatoes and especially rosemary. I didn’t know that rosemary symbolizes remembering marriage. I love little tidbits like that! I’m looking forward to other recipes that you bring us!
Thank you, Julie. I enjoy tidbits like that too. It keeps life interesting. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. I’ll have to give this a try.
Thanks, Sheryl! Hope you have a good weekend!
Jenny, your photos are telling me to get those delicious potatoes from the screen. 😀 Your photos are so stunning. Wow! Thank you for sharing at FF #93. I hope you are having fun. xx
Thank you so much, Jhuls. And thank you for co-hosting Fiesta Friday!
Potatoes are one of my favorite veggies to roast and rosemary is the perfect herb to pair with it 🙂
Thanks, Judi! Potatoes are a favorite of mine too, and so versatile. Hope you are having a great weekend!
Your pictures are so bright and inviting. I absolutely love the fresh flavors you added to your potatoes. I’m always impressed with how durable a rosemary plant can be, and how quickly it grows as well. Thank you so much for bringing these potatoes to the fiesta, and I hope you have a fabulous week! 😀
Thank you, Kaila. Thanks also for co-hosting Fiesta Friday this week!