Potatoes

No meal is complete without a hearty serving of Manitoba-grown potatoes. At well under a dollar per serving, potatoes are good for you, and easy on your wallet. Grown in abundant crops, potatoes are harvested at the first sign of frost.

Although new potatoes are best eaten immediately, mature potatoes can be enjoyed throughout the long winter months. The brown spuds pack a mighty punch – potatoes are chock-full of vitamins that will keep you healthy all winter long. We hope you’ll enjoy our hearty potato recipes!

Spud story
The cultivation of potatoes is believed to date back to 500 B.C. in Peru. Potatoes made their way to Europe in the 1500s, and Spanish conquistadors invading South America took potatoes back to their homeland aboard their ships. Potatoes protected the sailors from scurvy due to their high vitamin C content.

Good for you
Think potatoes are a fattening starch? Think again! A medium size potato has just 110 calories, is naturally fat-free and sodium-free, and contains nearly half your daily-recommended value of vitamin C. One potato has as much or more potassium than bananas, spinach and broccoli.

More than just skin deep
A common potato misconception is that all the nutrients are contained in the skin. While the skin does contain a significant amount of dietary fibre, the majority of nutrients can be found within the potato. Potatoes can lose their nutrients when boiled or baked for long periods of time – to maintain the most nutrients possible in a cooked potato, steam or microwave the vegetable.

Store
Store areas in a well-ventilated, dark area that is not too cold. Storing potatoes in a refrigerator causes the vegetable’s starch to turn to sugar, resulting in a sweet-tasting potato when cooked. Avoid areas that get too hot – potatoes are best kept out of the light. Exposure to sunlight can promote sprouting. Never wash potatoes before storing or they will spoil. When properly stored, potatoes can keep for several months without going bad.

Quick fix
Boiled, mashed, baked, fried – potatoes can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! Look for clean, smooth and firm potatoes, with no cuts or bruises. Gently scrub potatoes with a vegetable brush under cool running water. Cut away any slightly green portions before cooking, as well as any sprouts, and enjoy!