Day 21: Sweet potato vs potato

Even though both the potato and sweet potato originated from central and South America they are not related.

Sweet potatoes are from the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, and white potatoes are nightshades, or Solanaceae.

Sweet potatoes which we eat are the root of the plant and are root tubers.

Potatoes are stem tubers and consist of the thickened portions of underground stems called stolons.

Confusingly, sweet potatoes are root vegetables and potatoes which are often thought of as roots are technically tubers.

Both sweet and regular potatoes grow under the soil but they are very different when it comes to density, taste and nutrition.

While white potatoes are higher in potassium, sweet potatoes provide much more vitamin A.

Today’s variety - Red Duke of York (1st Early)

Introduced in The Netherlands in 1942

Oval tubers with a deep red skin, spectacular foliage with ‘blue’ centres’.

A good all rounder and excellent for roasting.

About my January Potato Journey

I am trying to build up my horticulture knowledge, all views are my own and are intended to be in a positive spirit.

I am a member of Nottingham Organic Gardeners (NOGs)

The daily posts are hoped to feature varieties which are likely to be part of Nottingham Organic Gardeners’ Potato Day and some fun potato trivia.

Also to be my celebration of the potato and Nottingham Organic Gardeners Potato Day.

More information at

http://nottinghamorganicgardeners.com/potato-day-info

The online potato day shop will be opening on Saturday 30th January 2021 at 10am!

Day 20: Oven Chips

Chips for tea in the 70’s usually involved a smelly chip pan and a potential fire hazard, but in 1979 the oven chip was launched onto a chip loving nation.

In the 1970s home appliance technology was in its infancy, and the fridge freezer was a relatively new addition to the nation’s kitchens.

Freezers were available in the 60s, but it was during the 70s when sales really took off, and by 1974 one in ten households had a freezer.

Part of the popularity of the home freezer was due to changes in the family with women increasingly going out to work.

In 2013 over 28 million bags of McCain Oven Chips were sold.

Today’s variety - Ratte (Maincrop)

A legendary status in France for this variety introduced in 1872.

Delicious, nutty taste like chestnuts.

Long smooth skinned tubers with white skins and yellow, waxy flesh.

About my January Potato Journey

I am trying to build up my horticulture knowledge, all views are my own and are intended to be in a positive spirit.

I am a member of Nottingham Organic Gardeners (NOGs)

The daily posts are hoped to feature varieties which are likely to be part of Nottingham Organic Gardeners’ Potato Day and some fun potato trivia.

Also to be my celebration of the potato and Nottingham Organic Gardeners Potato Day.

More information at

http://nottinghamorganicgardeners.com/potato-day-info

The online shop is opening on 30th January 2021 at 10am!

Day 19: Potato Vodka

Vodka can be made from all kinds of products: wheat, rye, barley, corn, molasses, grapes and of course potatoes.

Two of the most popular ingredients used in the distillation process for vodka are grains and potatoes. But what's the difference between the two?

Experts believe that grain vodka has less of a flavour than the distinctive taste of potato vodka with a heavier ‘mouth feel’ and aromatic profile.

Popular grain vodkas include big names like Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Stolichnaya, and Ketel One.

Potato vodka brands include Boyd & Blair and Woody Creek.

Today’s variety - Picasso (Maincrop)

Potato ‘Picasso’ produces huge yields of waxy fleshed tubers with striking red eyes.

Good all-round disease and drought resistance making it a garden and allotment favourite.

A versatile variety in the kitchen, particularly for baking and mashing.

Awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

About my January Potato Journey

I am trying to build up my horticulture knowledge, all views are my own and are intended to be in a positive spirit.

I am a member of Nottingham Organic Gardeners (NOGs)

The daily posts are hoped to feature varieties which are likely to be part of Nottingham Organic Gardeners’ Potato Day and some fun potato trivia.

Also to be my celebration of the potato and Nottingham Organic Gardeners Potato Day.

More information at

http://nottinghamorganicgardeners.com/potato-day-info

The Potato Day shop is being stocked as we speak and will be opening SOON!

Day 18: International Year of The Potato 2008

The United Nations (UN) declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato, in Resolution 4/2005 of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, adopted on 25 November 2005.

The UN Resolution noted that the potato is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population.

It affirmed the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty in support of achieving internationally agreed development goals.

2021 has been designated International Year of Fruit and Vegetables by the UN.

A date for the 2021 diary could be the UN’s International Tea Day on May 21st.

Today’s variety - Nicola (2nd early)

Introduced in Germany in 1973.

A reliable 'tried and tested seed potato, Nicola has yellow-fleshed, long, oval tubers with a waxy texture.

Has superb flavour when boiled.

About my January Potato Journey

I am trying to build up my horticulture knowledge, all views are my own and are intended to be in a positive spirit.

I am a member of Nottingham Organic Gardeners (NOGs)

The daily posts are hoped to feature varieties which are likely to be part of Nottingham Organic Gardeners’ Potato Day and some fun potato trivia.

Also to be my celebration of the potato and Nottingham Organic Gardeners Potato Day.

More information at

http://nottinghamorganicgardeners.com/potato-day-info

The Potato Day Shop will be opening very soon!!!

Day 17: Two potato strips

Stefan Bohnenburger is a German artist who has been famed since the 1980s for making a cross of gold from a pair of French fries.

he has repeatedly laid two French fries over each other to form a cross, turning the most banal object of our fat-drenched consumer society into one of the loftiest symbols of European culture.

One of these crosses was even cast in gold and shown as Pommes d’or (Golden fries) in 1990.

Atmospherically lit in a room of its own. at the Munich-based art gallery Mosel and Tschechow, where, according to the artist, they were intended to demonstrate “the metamorphosis of a profane, everyday object into a sacred artwork.”

Trouble arose in 2005, when it was discovered that the original plain-potato fries on which the gold cross was based—an integral part of the exhibit—had mysteriously vanished.

Bohnenberger sued and was awarded a compensatory sum of 2,000 euros for the missing fries, possibly the most money ever spent on two strips of potato !

Today’s variety - Mayan Rose (Maincrop)

Mayan Rose has a striking and unique coloured skin.

Good for mash, roast, wedges cooking quickly and good flavour.

About my January Potato Journey

I am trying to build up my horticulture knowledge, all views are my own and are intended to be in a positive spirit.

I am a member of Nottingham Organic Gardeners (NOGs)

The daily posts are hoped to feature varieties which are likely to be part of Nottingham Organic Gardeners’ Potato Day and some fun potato trivia.

Also to be my celebration of the potato and Nottingham Organic Gardeners Potato Day.

More information at

http://nottinghamorganicgardeners.com/potato-day-info

The text below is from the Nottingham Organic Gardeners’

“DUE TO LOCKDOWN ANNOUNCEMENT..

We are still definitely planning to bring potato day to you in some manner!

We have placed the order for the potatoes!

When we have them delivered and how we will get them to you will be planned soon!"