|
|
This Spud's for You: The Story of the Potato
by Marjorie Dorfman
|
Today hundreds of varieties of potatoes abound throughout the world (beyond Idaho, even). In the United States, there are basically four types, including the Russet Burbank, the Long White potatoes, Finger potatoes and Round White and Red potatoes. The Burbank which is also known as the "russet" and the "idaho," is long and slightly rounded with a brown skin and numerous eyes. (If you feel they are watching you as you peel them, it’s not for me to say it’s only your imagination!) Their low moisture and high starch content make them excellent for baking and making French fries.\
The Long White potatoes are of similar shape, but they have thin, pale gray-brown skins with almost imperceptible eyes. (Much better to work with if you are a bit paranoid like me.) They are sometimes called "White Rose" or "California Long Whites," after the state in which they were developed and can be baked, boiled or fried. The Finger potatoes are thumb-sized baby long whites. The Round White and Red varieties are medium sized and commonly referred to as boiling potatoes. Both have waxy flesh that contains less starch and more moisture than the russet or long white. They are great for mashed potatoes, roasting or frying.
 In conclusion, the potato is a thing of joy, but to eat and not to behold. We love them and they love us back. Did you know that although vodka can made from anything that contains starch, the finer premium vodkas are made from potatoes? Whatever the process, the next time I see someone drinking a vodka neat or with soda on the rocks, I will turn and clink my glass in a toast. I will say with my head held high:
"Hey, Mac, this spud’s for you!"
Did you know . . .
|
|
|
|
 |
For a restauranteur or a caterer
Restockit has everything you could need.
|
 "Our lives are not in the lap of the gods, but in the lap of our cooks."
Lin Yutang
The Importance of Living, 1937
"Talk of Joy: there may be things better than beef stew and baked potatoes and home-made bread
. . . there may be."
David Grayson
Adventures in Contentment, 1907
|
Click for a printer friendly version of this article.
|
|
