Does anyone remember the lyrics from the famous “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” song written in the 1930’s? You know where they talk about how you say Potato and Tomato! I don’t know about you, but when I am creating recipes and cooking I like to listen to music. When specifically cooking and talking about potatoes it made me think of this famous song!!! So, I thought I would talk about this gem of a vegetable.
Speaking of potatoes, did you know that there are over 100 different varieties of potatoes? That is a lot of potatoes to choose from. You won’t find all of those in your local supermarket; could you imagine if you could?! But it is nice to know what type of potato to buy when thinking of making a recipe that calls for this vegetable. I have been asked several times what type of potatoes I cook with. There is not one answer or one type of potato. It really depends on what I am making with them. As I am cooking and sitting down to post my recipe for “Scalloped Potatoes” it got me thinking about all that there is to know about Potatoes.
For example, potatoes come in a variety of colors such as:
- Yellow Potatoes
- White Potatoes
- Purple Potatoes
- Red Potatoes
They also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and have different names. Some of the more common potatoes that you may see in your local supermarket are:
- Russet Potatoes
- Yams
- Sweet Potatoes
- Fingerling
- Yukon Gold
- Red Bliss
I can see why it might be challenging to shop for the right potato. I am sure everyone has their favorites too. I like them all. I use the white or yellow potatoes in quite a few of my recipes. But, I will also cook the smaller, petite potatoes and love purple potatoes. I also really enjoy a sweet potato. It is also fun to try incorporating the little fingerling potatoes into recipes. I love all types of potato recipes too, such as:
- Grilled potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- and of course French Fries (they are so good with some S&P and fresh rosemary)
The key to knowing what type to buy is to understand the recipe you are trying to make. Are you grilling the potatoes, roasting them or maybe mashing them? Do you want them to be slightly sweet and buttery or do you want them to be more earthy and rustic? Decisions, decisions!
- If you are looking for a somewhat sweet and buttery taste then I would stick with your white/yellow potatoes, even your Russet Potatoes. They are great for making mashed potatoes and any baked potato recipe.
- If you are looking for a good option to make a potato salad, you might want to try a red potato. They are still somewhat sweet and creamy but they tend to hold their firm shape when cooking.
- The smaller potatoes, like the fingering and petites are great for pan frying or even roasting. They are great to add to salads or as a side dish. They are nice and small so I typically just cut these in 1/2, cook and serve.
Sweet potatoes are also a great option. Not only do they pack a lot of nutritional value with Vitamin A & C and they are a good source of antioxidants. They also have many additional nutritional benefits than the few mentioned here. Let’s not forget, they are super tasty too. They are great to make mashed potatoes with or baked french fries. You can top them with a little cinnamon or nutmeg for some extra flavor.
To see some of my creations with this wonderful and versatile vegetable, be sure to check out my recipes by clicking on the links below.
Check out my recipe for Scalloped Potatoes: Scalloped Potatoes
Click here to find my recipe for Horseradish Mashed Potatoes: Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Click here to find my Ham & Scalloped Potato Quiche: Ham & Scalloped Potato Quiche
Click here to find my Potato Salad Recipe : Potato Salad with Bacon
There are so many different ways to cook them. So, go ahead, have fun creating, cooking & eating a variety of potatoes. If you have a potato recipe you would like to share (whether homemade or something you tried while out to eat), or would like to see me make and post a recipe, let me know. Would love to hear from you.
Mangia! Enjoy!