Looks like my favorite food group, the potato, may once again take its rightful place as one of the greatest foods. With the rising cost of other staples and growing suspicion of the impact of biofuel crops, the potato may become a staple for many of the hungry people of the world. This wonder food..
..can be grown at almost any elevation or climate: from the barren, frigid slopes of the Andes Mountains to the tropical flatlands of Asia. They require very little water, mature in as little as 50 days, and can yield between two and four times more food per hectare than wheat or rice..
Potatoes are a great source of complex carbohydrates, which release their energy slowly, and — so long as they are not smothered with butter — have only five percent of the fat content of wheat.
They also have one-fourth of the calories of bread and, when boiled, have more protein than corn and nearly twice the calcium, according to the Potato Center. They contain vitamin C, iron, potassium and zinc.
May I say that I love the potato in it’s many forms. Mashed, french fries, chips, hash browns, wedges, stuffed potatoes, potato breakfast cereal (not yet, but I think it is a great idea), potato bread, potato potato, baked potato, red potato, purple potato, they are all my favourites. I remember reading about how potatoes can contribute to weight gain and that they should be reduced in our diets. I couldn’t think of what I would eat each day if I eliminated them! How depressing. I guess I should have some potato chips to cheer me up.
Speaking of potatoes.. I have often faced persecution for a preference of mine regarding potatoes. Most people enjoy ketchup on their fries. Sliced potatoes fried in many different shapes (straight cut, wedges, curly, crinkle, waffle, etc) and all taste good with ketchup. I add one more to that category of ketchup assisted flavoured potatoes: potato chips. Before you run to the washroom to spew, think about it. It is just a thinly sliced potato that has been fried, just like french fries. There is no difference! And stop making that face!
I have met very few people who share this preference, and many who express their utter disgust. One day at lunch my coworkers were berating me for my alternative food-style and telling me that it is gross. During this very conversation, out of the corner of my eye I witnessed one of my attackers dipping his Salt and Vinegar potato chip into his yogurt and taking a bite. He obviously liked it because he then did it again. I’m not going to mention any names (JRC), but I thought it was ironic and welcomed the chance to deflect other’s food borne attacks back at one of my assailants.
For those of you still doubting.. try it.