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Potatoes

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Photo of many red potatoes
Photo of many purple potatoes
Photo of many potatoes
Photo credits (left to right): Photo credits (top to bottom): Flickr: La Grande Farmers' Market; Flickr: kthread; Flickr: Mason Masteka

Foods Included

Russet (baking), New potato, Fingerling, Red, White, Blue, Yuca, Yukon gold potatoes

Description

A potato is a starchy tuber that grows underground. While some people think potatoes are unhealthy, potatoes are full of vitamins and fiber. The best way to cook potatoes is by baking in the oven. When you fry a potato (like french fries), then potatoes become unhealthy for our bodies.

Buy It

  • Choose smooth, firm potatoes with no mold, soft spots, sprouting, or green color.

Store It

  • Potatoes like cool, dark, moist environments.
  • Store in well-ventilated place away from onions.
  • Do not refrigerate.
  • New potatoes keep for 1 week, other potatoes keep for several weeks.

Cook It

  • Leave on skin when possible; remove deep eyes, sprouts or green spots, and scrub under cold water before cooking.
  • Boil chopped potatoes for 15 minutes; mash after draining if desired.
  • Bake whole potatoes at 400˚ F for 45 min or until they give when squeezed.
  • Pierce several times with a fork and microwave in covered dish with 1/4 cup water for 6-12 min, depending on size.

Why It's Great

  • B Vitamins helps our cells grow and stay healthy.
  • Vitamin C keeps our immune system strong and helps our bodies heal quickly.
  • Fiber helps with healthy digestion and keeps us feeling full.  Eating enough fiber has been shown to keep our hearts healthy too.
  • Folate, or folic acid, helps our tissues grow and our cells work.  Especially important for pregnant women.
  • Potassium, a type of electrolyte, helps build muscle and keeps your heart healthy.  
  • Iron is essential for red blood cells and muscles.
  • Thiamin is a B vitamin that helps our body change carbohydrates into energy and helps us maintain a healthy nervous system.
  • Niacin is a B vitamin that helps our body change carbohydrates into energy and improves our circulation.

Try It

Savory Potato Salad
1 hr 45 mins
Photo of the prepared recipe
Supreme Mashed Potatoes
55 mins
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Baked French Fries
1 hr
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Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup
45 mins
Photo of Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a bowl
Beef and Potato Stew
50 mins
Photo of prepared Beef and Potato Stew
Herbed Potato Salad
20 mins
Photo of the prepared recipe

“Funded by USDA SNAP, an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit http://calfreshhealthyliving.org for healthy tips.”