How to Choose the Perfect Potato and a little Irish Potato History

Do you know the perfect variety of potato to use for making mashed potatoes? What about the right one for baked? Does it make a difference which type of potato you use when preparing a specific recipe or are all potatoes created equally?

You may be surprised to find out that it really DOES make a difference in what type of potato you choose when you cook. Using the right potato for the recipe can result in a dish that is comforting and delicious. The wrong type of potato, however, may result in a dish that is edible but definitely not as good as you know it can be or it could turn out all wrong and not enjoyable at all.

Which type do you use when choosing different methods of cooking?

Here are some hints to help you choose the perfect potato for the dish you are preparing:

Mashed potatoes have been a comfort food for hundreds of years. Choosing the right potato will result in smooth, creamy potatoes with just the right amount of lumps. For mashed potatoes, the best type of potato to choose is one that is waxy. Yukon gold, white rose and red rose potatoes are your best bet when making mashed potatoes because they aren’t as starchy as other potatoes. Stay away from russet or Idaho potatoes as they are too starchy and result in mashed potatoes that are mealy rather than smooth.
Potato salad is another dish that people find comfort in. Because the potatoes will have to be boiled, you’ll want to use the same variety of potato as you would when making mashed potatoes. Choose a variety that is less starchy and your potato salad will turn out perfect every time.
Baked potatoes will have a crisp outside and white fluffy goodness on the inside. Unlike mashed potatoes or potato salad, when baking potatoes you want one that is starchy and will result in a fluffy inside. The russet potato is the perfect choice for this application.
French fries are one of the most common ways people eat potatoes. You’ll want to choose a high starch potato like a russet or Idaho for making homemade French fries. Or, if you can’t make the perfect fry at home, they can be found at most fast food restaurants.

As you can see, not all potatoes will produce the same texture when cooked. If you’re a potato lover and you want your dishes to come out perfect, the extra time and effort you spend selecting the right potatoes can make all the difference in the world.

Yummy potato wedges are an easy way to cook up a batch of potatoes. Baked in the oven, and leaving the skin on up the healthy factor. — Homemade baked fries or wedges are one of the tastiest foods we made with potatoes! Yum!

Related posts: Easy Rustic Ranchero Potatoes

Potatoes in Irish History

Even if you’re not very familiar with Irish history, you’ve probably heard something about the importance of potatoes in the lives of the Irish. Calling potatoes important is no understatement, and understanding the history helps us get a complete picture of their culinary and cultural importance even today.

The potato was introduced to Ireland in the late 1500s. Believed to be brought back to Europe by Spanish conquerors in South America, they were an attractive crop because of their vitamin, mineral, protein and carbohydrate content. Interestingly enough, humans can actually subsist on potatoes and for quite some time in Ireland, the Catholic poor actually did. In fact, during much of this time, peasants who lived on potatoes were believed to be healthier than the rich, whose food staple was bread.

Growing potatoes is pretty easy and the bonus is that if you do it well, you can reap and large harvest. Potatoes are so good cooked in so many ways but make sure to plant a few different types in your homestead garden so you have the optimum potato ready for any recipe — Potatoes are a fairly easy crop to grow in the homestead garden.

Potatoes had another attractive benefit to the Catholic poor as they provide a large yield, even when grown in small areas. This was crucial because Penal Laws were introduced to Ireland in the 1660s, placing many restrictions on Catholics living there. Things continued to grow worse, and in the 1660s, the law actually prohibited Roman Catholics from buying land or passing on any land they owned to their heirs. The law was eventually repealed, but with great restrictions, and the next century essentially saw those laws back in full swing, placing the Catholic majority in a very difficult position.

Catholics were now at the mercy of Protestant middlemen to rent them some land. They were crowded into small parcels, faced with the challenge of providing themselves with adequate sustenance. Add to that, the large growth of the Irish population made the potato a crucial element of survival during this period.

Because of the reliance on the potato, the Irish were vulnerable if harvests were poor. That’s exactly what happened in 1740 when cold and wet weather led to the Irish Famine that lasted until 1741. Just over a century later, in 1845, the Great Irish Famine saw potato crops destroyed by a disease called potato blight. During the 7-year famine, it is estimated that 1 million Irish died and another million fled the country. It was a devastating time, and as the country eventually recovered, the potato continued to be Ireland’s staple crop.

Even today, potatoes are still an important part of the Irish diet. They appear in stews, soups, bread and other specialty dishes, such as Irish potato cakes called Boxty, and Colcannon, a cabbage and potato dish. The potato also has a prominent place in culture as it is included in the names of places, literature and art. If you ever travel to Ireland and are treated to some good traditional Irish cuisine, you’ll see that the potato is an essential ingredient to its hearty meals.