Spuds

[953 nut 57,453]

We love potatoes so much, and you bet we are ready for it this National Tater Day on March 31. Bake ’em, boil ’em, fry ’em, mash ’em … they will always taste heavenly. The versatility potatoes lend means that they are great for both salty and sweet cuisines, either elevating the taste of a dish or complimenting the accompanying flavors. This tubular vegetable also holds the credit of solving food shortages, both in the old ages and the new. But at the same time, the vegetable has had its fair share of bad rep too. During a particularly bad food shortage, people in Germany refused to eat potatoes, which their king had made available in abundance. Germans at that time deemed it a ‘lowly’ food not deserving of their gastronomic cravings.

The much-adored tater evolved from the nightingale plant almost 350 million years ago. But its earliest recorded instance in history is much later than that. Potatoes were first cultivated as food in the Peruvian Andes. Since potatoes grew best in higher altitude conditions, the crops were mostly planted atop a mountain valley, near Lake Titicaca. As centuries passed by, potatoes grew in popularity and trade due to their low-maintenance features and high nutritional values.

It was due to the tubular vegetable’s low-maintenance quality that they were being planted in larger and larger acres of land. This meant more food for people in the long run, and this is also the reason why potatoes were used by rulers and lords to solve food shortages amongst the masses. One interesting example is Prussia in the 1700s. The king, Frederick the Great, decreed potatoes to be given to the masses, especially the poor, as protection against famine. However, many refused the food as they considered taters to be disgusting. Seeing this, the king came up with a strategy and ordered the potato fields to be cordoned off and labeled as ‘food for the royals.’ But soon after, people ‘stole’ the potatoes for eating. The king’s plan had worked and the masses were fed.

More recently in tater history, people have been celebrating National Tater Day since 1843. Traders would come and exchange goods, particularly potato slips that allowed them to buy and grow the plant. This is the oldest trade convention ever known and celebrated. While it may have had its fair share of ups and downs, the tater is loved and enjoyed by many today.

 

 

[WHX?? 50,467]

19 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

people in Germany refused to eat potatoes,

Is this why Dan doesn't like German tater salad? 

I'll have his share ... extra bacon please.... 

[953 nut 57,453]

7 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Dan doesn't like German tater salad?

Probably the vinegar is too much for his taste buds. Try substituting Dill Pickle Juice in place of the vinegar, that is how my grandmother made it and I liked it.

[SylvanLakeWH 27,156]

There is room for all of God's creatures...

 

Right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy...

 

 

[953 nut 57,453]

20 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy...

Then there is the question of what gravy;  beef, chicken, turkey, red eye, mushroom, onion?           

[SylvanLakeWH 27,156]

6 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Then there is the question of what gravy;  beef, chicken, turkey, red eye, mushroom, onion?           

Yes.

[WHX?? 50,467]

20 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Then there is the question of what gravy;  beef, chicken, turkey, red eye, mushroom, onion?           

ALL !

[Mickwhitt 4,955]

Just planted my seed potatoes out today in buckets. We got a good crop last year and hopefully will do well again. 

We bake ours in their skins in tin foil inside our log burner. They are there's jacket potatoes ever.

 

[ebinmaine 70,303]

Maine. Potato 🥔   

One of our fairly decent export crops every year.

 

I eat a few. Probably not enough.

 

 

[ebinmaine 70,303]

4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Yes.

Exactly what I was thinking

[Wayne0 842]

450 degrees for an hour, no tin foil , no oil. THAT'S a baked potato. Love the crispy skin!