8 Foods That Don't Come From Where You Think

Once again you can be forgiven for assuming the name has anything to do with the origin and you can probably blame US President Thomas “all men created equally but don't tell the slaves” Jefferson for the confusion as he tried to popularise the dish in America after trying it in France and referring to it as “potatoes fried in the french style.” Giving something the French prefix doesn't make it classy by the way.

French fries were invented in Belgium in the 1700s while the French were still convinced eating potatoes would give you leprosy. Villagers living in the Meuse Valley would eat the fried potatoes when fishing became to difficult, had they tried frying the fish and fries at the same time they really would have been on to something.

The potato is not from Europe though it was brought to the continent by the Spanish, and since the Spanish controlled Belgium at the time fries make an appearnce there may be a claim to call them Spanish fries. Or go with chips that makes it easier.