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Potatoes, also known as potatoes, are one of the world’s best known and most widely eaten vegetables. It is particularly popular in Europe, where it plays a prominent role in almost every aspect of cooking. Despite its simplicity, it is extremely versatile, nutritious and accessible to almost everyone.
How to choose the perfect potato?
When choosing potatoes, it is important to consider the intended use, as there are different varieties with different characteristics. Here’s what to look out for when buying:
- Appearance: potatoes should be firm, smooth to the touch and free of greenish discolouration. Green spots indicate the presence of solanine, which can be toxic in large quantities.
- Size and shape: choose the variety that best suits the dish. For example, smaller, thin-skinned varieties are ideal for salads, while larger, more floury potatoes are ideal for mashing or baking.
- Aroma: Fresh potatoes have an odourless or slightly earthy smell. Avoid any unpleasant, rotten smelling pieces.
Potato varieties and their uses
There are three main types of potato that are worth knowing about for cooking:
- Waxy potatoes: firm, low in starch. Ideal for salads, casseroles, and steamed side dishes.
- Floury potatoes: have a high starch content and fall apart easily when cooked. It is an excellent choice for mashes, cream soups and baked potatoes.
- General-purpose potatoes: they have a medium starch content, making them versatile for cooking, baking or grilling.
How do we use it in the kitchen?
The possibilities for preparing potatoes are almost endless, here are some ideas:
- Cooking: make it into mashed potatoes, cream soup, or simply steamed and served as a side dish.
- Bake: Oven-roasted potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and the perfect side dish for meat or fish.
- Grilling: cut into thick slices and grilled with seasoning for a special flavour.
- Raw: In rare cases, it can also be used raw, for example grated and salted, for toast.
- French fries: one of the world’s most popular street foods, made from thinly sliced potatoes fried in oil.
How do we store it?
By storing potatoes properly, you can preserve their freshness and quality for longer:
- In a dark place: light causes the potatoes to turn green and may increase their solanine content. Store in a dark, dry place.
- Cool environment: ideally store at a temperature between 7-10°C, but not in the fridge, where the starch will turn into sugar.
- Provide air circulation: store potatoes in a ventilated bag or basket to avoid mould.
Interesting facts about potatoes
- History: potatoes originated in South America and were introduced to Europe in the 1500s, where they quickly became a staple food.
- Nutritional value: Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium and fibre, while being low in fat. It is an excellent source of energy.
- World record: the world’s biggest potato was grown in New Zealand in 2011 and weighed more than 8 kg!
Tips for using potatoes
- Cooking trick: To prevent the potatoes from falling apart during cooking, add a little vinegar or lemon juice to the cooking water.
- Quick peel: if you want to save time, boil the potatoes in their skins and then put them in ice water – the skins will peel off easily.
- Seasoning: potatoes are great with spices such as rosemary, thyme, garlic or paprika.
Why choose potatoes?
Potatoes are cheap, filling and easy to obtain, and they are the basis of many dishes. Its nutritional properties and versatility make it a must-have in any kitchen. Whether you are a novice cook or an experienced housewife, potatoes are always a reliable choice.