Posted on March 24th, 2009 by admin
Potatoes are the world’s fourth largest food crop, following rice, wheat, and corn. The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species. Potatoes are used to brew alcoholic beverages such as vodka and as food for domestic animals; potato starch is used to produce organic chemicals, in the textile industry, and in the manufacture of papers and boards. Potatoes are prepared in many ways: skin-on or peeled, whole or cut up, with seasonings or without. The only requirement involves cooking to break down the starch. Most potato dishes are served hot, but some are first cooked then served cold, notably potato salad and potato chips/crisps.
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Posted on April 15th, 2008 by admin
One thing has always puzzled me. To the best of my knowledge I have only ever seen one type of potato in Southern Africa, and I’ve been here for 35 years. A couple of years ago I was visiting my daughter and new granddaughter in New England and we went out to buy some vegetables. There must have been at least fifteen to twenty different varieties of potato on sale. There were big ones, small ones, yellow, red and purple ones, King Edwards, Romano, Maris Piper, Nadine, Wilja … the list goes on and on. There are only two types of potato in South Africa – Big ones and baby ones! Please don’t someone say that we have sweet potatoes. Whose fault is that? The smallholder? The seed potato supplier? Is it the climate? The soil? Someone please tell me the reason why we are so backward.
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