Considering the important role that potatoes have played in many intervals of history they have maintained a fairly unassuming persona. Often overlooked as boring, potatoes can be unfairly blamed for anything from obesity to cancer and diabetes, not to mention famine and mass migration! But the age we are living in has finally recognised the true potential of the humble tuber.
Family fare for Europeans in the 1500s consisted mainly of grains and vegetables like onions and cabbage. You would think a vegetable that thrived in almost every climate would be welcomed with open arms from the Spanish Conquistadors, but the fear of the unknown caused potatoes to be suspected as poisonous or a cause of leprosy, and to be relegated to animal fodder. Enter Antoine Parmentier, a French prisoner of war who survived for two years on potatoes alone. Owing his healthy state after emerging from prison to his diet he became a crusader for the recognition of the potato and brought it to the table of many famished families.
With his everlasting promotion, the cultivation of the potato gradually crept across Europe. Much to the astonishment of planters everywhere, this native of tropical mountain regions adapted and even thrived in every imaginable climate.
Many a sea faring man would ward off the dreaded scurvy with the life saving source of vitamin C found in potatoes.
The potato and Ireland will be forever linked in history, it was quickly discovered by savvy farmers that a single acre of potatoes could feed a family of 10. After only three centuries the inevitable blight hit the crop that the entire populace depended upon. The Irish Potato Famine forced millions of desperate Irish farmers to leave their homes and families for greener pastures.
More interesting potato facts that you probably never learned in History class?
- During the potato expansion in Scotland, several clans refused to eat potatoes because they were not described in the Bible
- The first potatoes in New Zealand were planted by Captain Cook, who thus hoped to get the local population out of cannibalism.
- The first potatoes in Tasmania, Australia, were planted on Bruni Island by Captain Bligh (later of Mutiny fame). Two years later, during his visit to the same island, the captain found that his plantations were dead. It was only after his return to Europe that he thought he probably should have looked under the soil.
- The Swedes being a frugal lot, discovered that not only were potatoes good on their own, but that they made a hearty vodka. And as they say, “the rest is history” or Absolut!
But what we really came here for, how do potatoes measure up in the nutritional department?
Contrary to popular belief, the potato is actually an amazing source of great health benefits! They are naturally gluten-free, as well as fat-, sodium-, and cholesterol-free! They’re a great source of potassium, an electrolyte which supports healthy heart and nervous system.
In modern times, this amazing vegetable has become so beloved and abundant, that the delectable cooking variations are almost too numerous to count. Latkes, gnocchi, knishes, poutine, samosas; every global culture now has its own version of potato-based comfort food. They’re a vital part of British culture, in your Fish-and-Chip platters, or steaming Bangers and Mash. Potato is added to pasta in Italy, https://elgustoglobal.com/recipe/sweet-potato-pasta/, or turned into Rotis, in the Caribbean. Potatoes find their way into the family picnic basket, in Potato Salad, or served as a warm side dish with Sweet Potatoes! https://elgustoglobal.com/recipe/warm-sweet-potato-salad/
Potatoes are now far and away the most popular vegetable in the world. The McDonald’s corporation alone, uses 3.4 billion pounds a year, to fill the global demand for their French fries.
Far from being an overlooked and humble tuber, it’s time the potato took it’s place at the head of the table. Boiled or baked, smashed, mashed or roasted, riced or diced, the potato is a welcome guest of honour.
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https://elgustoglobal.com/recipe/potato-rosti/
