Patate al Sale con Burro Montato alle Erbe (Italian Salt Baked Potatoes) Salt baking is the oldest way of turning an ordinary potato into something worth serving on its own. The potatoes are buried in coarse sea salt and baked until the skin tightens and the flesh inside turns dry, floury and hot enough to steam when it is split. Nothing is added while they cook: no water, no foil, no oil. The finish is a whipped herb butter, burro montato alle erbe, beaten until it is pale a