GERMAN SAVORY POTATO CAKE (KARTOFFELKUCHEN)

Steps:

• Peel and wash the potatoes.
• Divide the potatoes into two even portions; take one portion cut them into halves, then place in salted water and cook about 20 minutes, until soft enough to mash.
• Shred the remaining raw potatoes.
• Place 50 grams of the butter in a heated pan.
• Sauté the onion and the ham chunks together in the butter.
• Add the shredded potato and turning them over occasionally with a spatula, cook together for about 5-8 minutes.
• Remove from the pan and let cool.
• Drain the potatoes that have been cooking in the water and mash them (using a potato ricer).
• Mix together with the remaining 125 grams of butter, the flour, and some salt & pepper, kneading together to make a dough.
• Using the wrapper from your butter, grease a large rectangular rimmed baking tin about 32 x 39 cm in size (or use a rimmed cookie sheet) and then dust pan with breadcrumbs (If you already tossed your wrapper, just grease the pan with a little butter or oil).
• Press out the potato dough evenly to form a crust in the pan.
• Strip the rosemary leaves from their stems and chop them.
• Whisk together the eggs, rosemary, garlic, sour cream, caraway seeds (optional), and combine with the shredded potato mixture.
• Season with salt& pepper to taste.
• Spread this mixture on top of the potato pastry.
• Place on a lower rack in the oven (preheated to around 200°C) and bake approximately 50 minutes.
• Cool slightly (about 5-10 minutes), then cut into 16 squares.
• Garnish with a small dollop of sour cream and a bit of fresh rosemary, if desired.