Potatoes: Growing, Cooking, Eating

Potatoes are among my favourite foods. They are versatile, come in a variety of colours and types and can be prepared and served in many ways.

I do not eat them as much as I once did, which while growing up was every meal, well once a month we might have rice, however, most other meals saw a potato served in some form. Rice, noodles and pasta have been added to the starches

Masked, baked, boiled, french fries, home fries, scalloped. I made scalloped potatoes for the first time last week in at least ten years. Scallop potatoes with ham and I added a few organic carrots, which is something I have not tried before. We were impressed with the outcome.

Growing Potatoes:

Potatoes are easier to grow than many people think, although if you only use a container or two the return will be small. You can grow potatoes on your patio or balcony in a container or in a community garden plot or your backyard.

Potatoes can be grown in old tries which I have done but do not recommend doing so for more than a season. There are materials in the tires that you do not want in your food and if you are planning to grow organically, using recycled tires is not considered to be an acceptable organic method.

Cooking Potatoes:

I did not mention potato salad in my previous list of how you can cook potatoes and that would be a serious error. Potato salad is a personal favourite and I have a recipe that rates high on my must eat list.

There is also some discussion on which potato makes the best salad. I generally use red potatoes, preferring small ones to the larger later season one. On occasion when I cannot find small red potatoes and just have to have potato salad I will work with Yukon Golds.

Some people peel the potatoes before making the salad, some don’t, I prefer to leave the skins on as it adds colour.

I will never, never use a baker potato to make a potato salad. The baker has a specific purpose and a delicious one at that; you do not mess with perfection. A baked potato with baked beans or chili, or cheese or sour cream can be a meal all by itself.

I also like a slice or two of raw potato while I am making them with a touch of salt or just plain. I enjoy the crunch and my teeth appreciate the firmness.

Baked potatoes were once a staple, baked potatoes smothered in baked beans or cheese or topped with Brussels sprouts have made up more than a few suppers over the years.

Potatoes can also be stored and when put in a dark cool place will keep for a few months, although it is wise to check them every now and then, after all it only takes one bad potato to spoil the bunch.

Potatoes are versatile, come in a variety of colours and types and can be prepared and served in many ways.