One medium sized potato, eaten with the skin on:
- Is just 110 calories.
- Has nearly half of the Daily Value for vitamin C.
- Is one of the best sources of potassium and fiber in the produce section.
- Is a great way to eat your veggies
- Preserve the most nutrients by keeping skin on. If you must peel, be sure to keep the peeling very thin, since many nutrients are found close to the skin.
- Steam or microwave potatoes instead of boiling them, because water naturally leaches some of the nutrients from the potatoes
Each year in the US there are more than 1 million acres of potatoes planted-that's like filling hte whole state of Rhode Island with potato plants. It's the leadinvegetable crop in the Us with a total Production of 41.3 billion pounds!
And a little History:
In October 1995, the potato became the first vegetable to be grown in space. NASA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, created the technology with the goal of feeding astronauts on long space voyages, and eventually, feeding future space colonies.
During the Alaskan Klondike gold rush, (1897-1898) potatoes were practically worth their weight in gold. Potatoes were valued for their vitamin C. And gold, at that time, was more plentiful than nutritious foods!
French Fries were introduced to the U.S. when Thomas Jefferson served them in the White House during his Presidency of 1801-1809.
Some of the most famous potato dishes we enjoy today were created by mistake Collinet, chef for French King Louis Phillipe (reign 1830-1848) unintentionally created soufflés (or puffed) potatoes by plunging already fried potatoes into extremely hot oil to reheat them when the King arrived late for dinner one night. To the chef's surprise and the king's delight, the potatoes puffed up like little balloons.
Potato Chips In 1853 railroad magnate Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt complained that his potatoes were cut too thick and sent them back to the kitchen at a fashionable resort in Saratoga Springs, NY. To spite his haughty guest, Chef George Crum sliced some potatoes paper thin, fried them in hot oil, salted and served them. To everyone's surprise, Vanderbilt loved his "Saratoga Crunch Chips," and potato chips have been popular ever since.
(Source: potatogoodness.com)
In honor of all this potato talk I think I am going to make bacon wrapped pototoes on the grill tonight for supper. How do you like to cook your potatoes?
