Veggie & Fruit Guide
Veggie & Fruit- Please select from abc list
Potatoes
The potato is a starchy, tuber from the nightshade (Solanaceae) family.
Although we think of the Irish when we think of potatoes, they can actually
be traced back 4,000 years to South America where they were grown in the
Andes mountains centuries before Europeans ever set foot in the new world.
The Inca people of Peru grew them as far back as 200 BC and they were only
introduced to Ireland and Britain in the late 1500s. Interestingly, the
first time potatoes became popular in Europe was after Marie Antoinette wore
potato blossoms.
After rice, wheat and maize, potatoes are
ranked the world's fourth largest food crop. In the first decade of
the twenty-first century, the average global citizen would eat about 33 kg
of potato every year.
Potato cultivars vary in skin and flesh
colour, as well as shape. Their cooking quality also differs, and the
cooking method used can significantly affect the nutrient availability of
the potato.
In addition to the valuable nutrients potatoes provide, they are also
environmentally-friendly. They are inexpensive and easy to grow, they
are relatively low maintenance compared to some types of vegetables and they
don’t require much fertilizer.
Seasonal Availability
Because potatoes are
grown and harvested in different regions during the
different climatic seasons, they are available year round in
South Africa.
Serving Size
One medium potato (80g) or ½ cup
cooked potato provides 1 serving of vegetables.
Description by variety
Vanderplank
Characteristics: This
variety is oval to oblong and pear-shaped with shallow eyes. Both
the skin and flesh are white.
Usage: They have a firm, smooth texture and are best
used for chips, salads and oven-baking.
Mondial
Characteristics: Mondial
potatoes are oval-shaped and have a creamy to yellow flesh.
Usage: This variety has a firm and waxy texture
and is best for baking and roasting.
BP 1
Characteristics: This tuber
is slightly flat, oval-shaped and has shallow eyes. The skin and
flesh are white.
Usage: Their firm, light texture makes them
suitable for all cooking methods – boiling, roasting and oven
baking. They may develop a slight blue discolouration after cooking.
Red potato - Lady Rosetta
Characteristics: They are
round to oblong in shape with red skin and yellow flesh.
Usage: This variety is best used for chips.
Inova
Characteristics: Inova
tubers are long and oval-shaped, with shallow eyes. Both their skin
and flesh is yellow.
Usage: They can be used for all types of cooking
and have excellent flavour and a non-sticky texture.
