Although bread is considered the staff of life, many people would beg to differ because they prefer potatoes. This starch, which is a tuberous vegetable, features prominently in various cuisines and is the fourth largest food crop in the world. Potatoes are inexpensive, yet nutritious and they play a major role in feeding people globally, including those in famished countries.

Great Taste, Wonderfully Nutritious

Potatoes are a key staple in various entrees and side dishes and can be served at any meal or as a snack. They offer vast nutritional value and are high in vitamin C and vitamin B. Potatoes are rich in minerals including iron, zinc, and potassium, yet aren’t high in calories. But to obtain the maximum health benefits from a potato, you must consume the entire thing – skin and all. The skin is similar to fiber and is thought to prevent colon cancer while lowering triglycerides.

The History behind this Tuberous Starch

The Peruvians were the first to cultivate potatoes back around 3000 BC and ate them quite often, finding them to be an excellent source of energy. The Spanish were introduced to potatoes and they in turn, brought them to other European countries. The popularity of potatoes quickly spread and the Irish especially relied on this inexpensive vegetable to sustain their large families. However, the Irish potato crops became fraught with disease, and blight struck between 1845 and 1849. Sadly, more than a million Irish people died from starvation and disease as a result of the Great Potato Famine.

In China, the potato became a favorite of the imperial family in the 1600s. The potato also found its way to the New World and early crops were planted in Idaho. Today, Idaho is well-known for being a major potato producer in North America. Other states that produce potatoes include Washington, Oregon. Colorado, and Maine.

The Culinary Potato

Although you might assume that one potato is no different from another, you’d be surprised to know that there are more than 4,000 different varieties of this common and popular vegetable. Fingerling, Jersey Royal, King Edward, Russet Burbank, and Yukon Gold are just a few of the more common varieties. And it is interesting to note that the different varieties can also be used in different dishes. Yukon Gold potatoes, for example, have a golden yellow color and a buttery taste, making them ideal for mashed potatoes. Russet Burbanks have higher sugar contents than some of the other varieties, and thus make terrific French fries and potato chips.

When shopping at your local supermarket, choose potatoes that are firm and not soft. It is best to find potatoes that are unblemished and smooth. Store your potatoes in a cool, dark place – a basement or cellar is ideal. Always cut off any green spots when preparing potatoes – this component, which is a naturally occurring compound, is called solanine and can be poisonous.

In the United States, potatoes are widely consumed as French fries, hash browns, mashed potatoes, and baked potatoes. American Jews enjoy eating potato pancakes, called latkes, at Hanukkah. Italians use potatoes to make gnocchi, a dumpling-like pasta. The Scandinavian countries boil small varieties known as new potatoes and serve them with dill as a side dish. In England, the locals like their fish and chips, deep-fried cod with slabs of fried potatoes.

Dig In!

You’ve probably served potatoes in numerous ways from roasting them in the oven to accompany roast beef to including them on a plate with ham and cabbage. They can be baked, then sliced thin, and fried in oil with salt and pepper to make a simple side dish with eggs. You can dice them up and add them to a pot of New England clam chowder or vegetable soup. Boil them until tender and cut them in chunks, then add olive oil, vinegar, and rosemary to make a warm potato salad.

Final Thought

You’ve probably never met anyone who didn’t like potatoes. But there are so many different varieties which makes them ideal to try in lots of dishes. One variety might have a bland taste, which is great to doctor up with a delicious cheese, chopped bacon, and scallions. Another variety may offer a hearty taste, so an array of seasonings isn’t needed. Enjoy your potatoes in different recipes and try them at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Potatoes really are a nice complement to any meat, poultry, or fish.