EVOLUTIONARILY APPROPRIATE INGREDIENTS > GROWING YOUR OWN INGREDIENTS > GROWING VEGETABLES > POTATO VARIETIES

Potato Varieties
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Potatoes are an excellent carbohydrate source. In fact athletes and sportsmen use mashed potatoes after a heavy training session for fast recovery of blood sugar levels. Cold baked potatoes eaten 2-3 hours before a big session are very good way to 'carbohydrate load' to carry the body through prolonged exertion.

The main difference in potato types is whether they are 'waxy' or floury. 'Waxy' potatoes have more sugars, and don't handle roasting or 'french frying' (in olive or canola oil, remember) very well. But they are very good for boiling, because they hold their shape well. This is a particularly important attribute when you are cubing potatoes for potato salad.

'Floury' potatoes tend to fall apart in the pot when they are boiled. But they are excellent baked or roasted or 'french fried'. Floury potaoes give that light, steamy, fluffy interior when fried in fat or when baked.

But 'waxiness' or 'flouriness' is usually a spectrum- some are rather waxy, some are rather floury, and some are midway between. Those midway between are good general purpose spuds for any cooking method.

The attributes of waxiness or flouriness are also influenced by the growing conditions, and by the age of the tuber. New potatoes are more waxy because some of their sugars are yet to be converted to starch, and old potatoes that have been in storage for a long time become more floury.

The best strategy for the Urban food gardener is to grow early potatoes (even use a plastic cloche to speed them up and protect from frost), or a potato variety with gourmet qualities that you are really 'sold' on.

Early Potatoes-very small earlies can be 'tickled' about 2 months from sowing. The main early crop is ready about 3 months from planting
Draga Boiling, mashing, potato salad. NZ
Jersey Bennie Boiling, mashing, potato salad. NZ
Rocket General purpose. NZ

Main Crop Potatoes-ready about five months from sowing.

Desiree General purpose. NZ
Rua General purpose. NZ
Nadine Boiling, mashing, potato salad. NZ
Red Rascal Roasting, Baking, French Fries. NZ
Karaka General purpose. NZ



I dont know what season. E-mail if you know. Or to give me some more cultivars to include, (for US, Canada, Australia, UK, or NZ) or corrections to make, or links to include..
Agria Roasting, Baking, French Fries. NZ
Delcora General purpose. NZ
Fiannia Roasting, Baking, French Fries. NZ
Frisia Boiling, mashing, potato salad. NZ
Ilam Hardy Roasting, Baking, French Fries. NZ
Russet Burbank Roasting, Baking, French Fries. NZ
Stroma General purpose. NZ
White Delight Roasting, Baking, French Fries. NZ
  

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