Interesting Facts

      Potatoes yield twice the amount of high-quality protein per acre as wheat.

      The potato is a prime candidate for farming in outer space. On space stations, potato plants could provide nutritious food, while producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the air.

      Five pounds of potatoes and one pint of milk will provide enough nutrition for the human body to sustain itself. (Don't quote me on this one)

      The United States exports 8 million cubic tons of processed potatoes to Asia as "American" (not "French") fries.

      Solanum, the genus of the potato, is derived from the Latin word solamen meaning "soothing."  No wonder it’s a comfort food!

      Speaking of food, here are some yummy potato recipes!!

Clay Pot Chicken With Garlic Carrots and Potatoes from http://www.recipezaar.com

Ingredients

1 chicken, cut up

1 cup sliced carrot

1 cup sweet corn

3-4 medium potatoes, quartered

4 garlic cloves, chopped (can add more or less)

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (can use 1 tbs of dried parsley)

1 tablespoon caraway seed (optional, but I always use them)

1 tablespoon Italian dressing (optional)

salt and pepper

Directions

1.       Soak clay pot for 15 min.

2.       Rub chicken with garlic, salt, pepper, caraway seeds, parsley, Italian dressing and marinate overnight ( optional) You can rub your chicken and bake it right away, but it will taste much better , if marinated.

3.       In a clay pot, add potatoes, carrots and chicken on top.

4.       Place your clay pot in the cold oven and roast at 430F for 1.5 hours.

Mashed Pumpkin Potatoes from http://www.recipezaar.com

Ingredients

2 cups potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cups pumpkin, cut into 1 inch cubes

1/2 medium onion, small dice

2 slices Canadian bacon, small dice

cooking spray

2-4 tablespoons evaporated skim milk

1-2 tablespoon butter (optional)

Directions

1.       In a large sauce pan cover potatoes and pumpkin with water. Bring to boil and simmer until potatoes are tender, 6-10 minutes.

2.       While potato/pumpkins are cooking. Sauté onions and Canadian bacon in a non-stick pan prepared with a bit of cooking spray about 3-4 minutes. Onions should should be tender and golden. If the pan gets dry while cooking, sprinkle a bit of water into the pan.

3.       Drain potatoes and pumpkin and return to pan. Lower heat to the lowest flame possible. Mash by with a potato masher, mixer or immersion blender. Add milk and butter to thin a bit and make mash creamier.

4.       Mix in the onions & bacon.

5.       Serve.

Lobster Mashed Potatoes from http://www.grouprecipes.com

Ingredients

lobster chunks (chopped up lobster)

mashed potatoes mix

paprika

s & p

butter

Directions 

1.      First, cook the box of mashed potatoes following the instructions on the box. Use milk instead of water if suggested.

2.      Once the potatoes are smooth and ready, dump a load of lobster chunks into the potatoes. The more lobster the better. Get as much as you can afford.

3.      Season with salt and pepper and a bit of paprika.

4.      Mix in melted butter to taste and to add to the smoothness.