The potato is the New World’ s gift to kitchen’s everywhere. Christopher Columbus first encountered the sweet potato on the Island of St. Thomas. The natives called them batata, later the Spanish changed it to potato. Almost a century later explorers in Peru brought the white potato to Europe. Potatoes grew in small plots of land and provided added nutrition for the average European. This lowly tuber started a population explosion and fed the workers of the Industrial Revolution.
The unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Irish potato famine gave the potato an underserved reputation as a starchy fatty spud with little nutritional value. Actually, this versatile spud is nutritious – rich in vitamin C and potassium. It has fewer calories than an apple of the same size. People however drown it in butter and fry it in oil making it far more fattening and less nutritious.
Russet and baker potato are best for mashed potatoes and fritters while new potatoes are better for any salads or any dish where you want the potato to hold its own shape.
Sweet Potatoes and Yams are rich in vitamin A and make a great change from basic white potatoes.
OVEN BAKED FRIES
Oven baked fries are less greasy and messy than the regular potato French Fries.
- 5 medium white – Baker, Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes well scrubbed or peeled.
- Salt, pepper, powder chilli, paprika, turmeric and oregano to taste
- Canola oil from a spray can.
Preheat oven to 375. Spray cookie tray with Canola oil. Chop up potatoes in desired size. Spray potatoes with canola oil. Sprinkle on spices. Put in oven till golden brown around 15 to 20 minutes.
BAKED SWEET POTATO WITH CARROT AND APPLE
This is a sweet, simple side dish for special occasions. Its especially good for Thanksgiving or even Christmas. You can also make this dish the night before and heat it up before you serve it. Jewish people call this tzimmis and serve it on Jewish New Years or Passover.
- 3 cups cubed sweet potato
- 1 cup apples diced (use Gala or Fuiji)
- 4 cups sliced carrots
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups water
Preheat oven to 325. Boil in a pot or microwave the sweet potatoes.
Spread evening in a pan all the above ingredients for 1 hour or till tender.
What to do with Potato Water
Potatoes are great with beef stew.
