I looked up some History and Facts about Potatoes as I was brainstorming my potato recipe. Along the way, some interesting information I found after searching for potatoes on the internet. I have included that information as well as my recipe below. I hope you find the information as interesting as I do. As well as the yummy potato recipe!
History and Facts about Potatoes:
Around 8,000–5,000 BC, the Inca Indians of Peru were the first people to plant potatoes. The Inca society measured time by measuring how long it took to boil a potato. However they made a steady expansion throughout the northern colonies, nonetheless potatoes didn’t gain widespread acceptance until they were given the aristocratic seal of approval by Thomas Jefferson, who offered them to guests at the White House. However, the potato’s renown grew rapidly, and indeed the flow of Irish immigrants into the newly formed country only served to bolster its appeal. Whence did potatoes come from? Around 8,000–5,000 BC, the Inca Indians of Peru were the first people to plant potatoes.
The Potato in Europe:
The potato’s tastes were brought to Europe by Spanish conquerors who traveled through Peru in 1536. Initially, not many people were fond of the veggie. The potato took over forty years to spread throughout the rest of Europe after being brought to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1589. Not until potatoes were sown in hopes that peasants would begin consuming them during the war by King Fredrick of Prussia. When the Bahamas’ ruler gave a gift package full of potatoes to the colony of Virginia’s governor in the 1620s, potatoes made their way into the colonies.
The Potato in The United States:
The origin tale of potatoes was not well welcomed in the United States, or in Europe. We are grateful to Thomas Jefferson for serving them to his visitors at the White House. Furthermore, the potato’s renown grew rapidly, and the newly constituted nation’s attraction was further enhanced by the flood of Irish immigrants into it.
The potato life cycle begins with planting; they are annual plants. Different climates call for different times to plant and harvest potatoes. Northern states usually plant their fields in the spring and harvest them in the fall. An underground section of a potato is called a “potato.” Potatoes grow with the help of a special underground stem called the stolon. Potatoes are actually underground stems, not roots, yet they are referred regarded as “tubers”.
Potato Facts: Although potatoes originated outside of the United States, they are now the most popular vegetable in America. Because these are true, they are History and Facts! October, 1955 was the year that NASA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison collaborated to develop the technology, to have potatoes in space.
– At 370 pounds, the largest potato ever grown on one plant! By Englishman Eric Jenkins, this occurred in 1974.
Potatoes are the focus of two holidays. August 19th is National Potato Day, and October 27th is another National Potato Day.
Potato head debuted on television in 1952
-When Louis XV’s wife Marie Antoinette began wearing potato blossoms in her hair, potatoes became a fashion statement.
Facts about the potato plant:
In the same family as tobacco are potatoes. Sweet potatoes and potatoes are subterranean tubers, however they belong to different families. One distinction is that sweet potatoes, also referred to as root tubers, are the larger roots of the sweet potato plant, whereas potatoes are tubers.
Convolvulaceae is the family to which sweet potatoes belong, along with morning glory.
Tomato is the name of a hybrid plant that combines the growth of potatoes and tomatoes on one plant.
A potato plant can reach a length of about 60 cm, or 24 inches. They reach a height of 4,000 meters above sea level where they grow.
The plants produce flowers in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, blue, red, and white. It’s a red potato plant if the blossoms are red.
Types of potatoes:
- Russet
- Red
- White
- Yellow
- Purple
- Fingerling
- Petite
- Instant
- Chip
- Frozen
Watching mom at work
When I was younger, my mom would always make things homemade, this particular time I was watching while she was making supper. She was making homemade scalloped potatoes. During this process, if I didn’t know why she was doing something I would ask, she would answer. This is how I learned how to make homemade scalloped potatoes. Even though I would put the same ingredients in mine, nothing tastes like “moms”! Therefore, I thought I would share the simple recipe of my “moms” recipe for homemade scalloped potatoes’. They are soooo good, you can thank me later.! The recipe will be down below at the bottom. Thank You!
Homemade Scalloped Potatoes (my mom taught me)
When I was growing up my mom usually made our meals from scratch, homemade. I would watch her different times and ask questions if I didn’t know or wasn’t sure of what or why. That’s how I learned to make these delicious, homemade scalloped potatoes.
They are so easy to make, once you have done it you will never forget!
Components:
A half-can of milk
4-5 medium-sized potatoes peeled
One can of evaporated milk
One onion, peeled and diced
One stick of genuine butter
1/4 cup of flour, about
A dash of pepper and salt, if desired
Temperature of oven: 375
- Put about 4 cups of water or so in a pan.
- Wash the potatoes, then start slicing them into the water.
- Once all the potatoes are done, put the flour in followed by the can of evaporated milk.
- One can of milk, chopped onion, and butter.
Another great thing about this recipe other than being simple, yummy is it doesn’t really matter what order the ingredients are put in! I hope you like this as much as I do!