Potatoes - How to Buy, Store, and Use in Cooking
The potato is the most beloved vegetable in the world. There are countless varieties! This vegetable is a member of the nightshade family, like tomatoes and eggplants. History of the potato It is rich and extensive, and it first appeared in South America, and in Europe it began to be grown only in the 16th century.
Potato tubers come in a variety of shapes, from finger-shaped to round. Most varieties have dark brown skin and creamy or yellowish flesh. However, potatoes with other skin colors are also common, such as purple.
There is a lot in potatoes useful properties and can have varying amounts of starch. Low-starch varieties are used in fresh salads, while high-starch varieties are better suited for purées and baked goods.
How and when to buy?
Potatoes are available year-round. The fresh potato season runs from May to August.
Choose potatoes that are firm enough and undamaged. Avoid any that have cracks, sprouts, wrinkled, or green areas. New potatoes don't need to be peeled, but older potatoes should always be peeled before cooking.
Culinary uses
Old potatoes should be thoroughly peeled, removing any eyes. This can be done with a small, sharp knife or a vegetable peeler. A large amount of nutrients are found under the potato skin, so when peeling, try to remove as thin a layer of skin as possible. If you used a vegetable peeler, wash it immediately. New potatoes, even with their skins on, can be rinsed thoroughly under running water, rubbing them thoroughly with your hands.
If the potatoes have green spots or any damage, these areas should be cut out.
Potatoes can be baked whole (about 50 minutes or 1 hour), cut into large pieces and fried (old potatoes - 45-60 minutes, young - 30-40), or also cut into large pieces and boiled (old - 15-20 minutes, young - 12-15 minutes).
It can also be used in cooking. sweet potato.
Storage
Potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. Exposure to light will cause them to sprout. Wrap the tubers in a paper bag, not a plastic one, as the latter can cause mold. Old potatoes will keep for weeks in paper bags, while new potatoes will keep for less time, but still for a considerable number of days.
All recipes with potatoes
Categories:
Related articles
