Potatoes

[KeeperOfTheGood]

Hey oh

I did not wish to take over another thread with this observation/question.

Potatoes are a root crop found in the new world and then globalised. It originated in the foot hills and up the Andies mountain range. They were originally a royal purple in colour, and are now mostly white due to cultivation. There are a few yellow and pink varieties as well. Purple, the original colour, is on its way back into stores. Makes for an interesting scalloped dish.

Now, in reading on various dishes, there are many 'national' favourites that involve the potatoe. Not a problem, as every nation finds a food it addores, and over time makes it their own. Food is an important part of self identity.

The thing of it is, these dishes are at times older than the discovery of the potatoe.

It is my beliefe that many of the recipies that came to use the potatoe, used something else before the potatoes introduction.

So, what was used? What did the Vikings use? What did the Hebrews use? What did the Scotts use?

[deltadoc]

Originally Posted by KeeperOfTheGood

Hey oh

Potatoes are a root crop found in the new world and then globalised. It originated in the foot hills and up the Andies mountain range.

I'm wondering what your source was for the origination of the potatoe in the Andies Mountain Range?

I am quite sure that I read that Sir Francis Drake brought back the potatoe from some island community, and presented it to Queen Elizabeth. There is even a town somewhere in Europe with a statue to Sir Francis Drake as the "saviour of Europe", since famine was common and the potatoe was a very versatile crop that Europe's poor could grow almost anywhere.

If what I read is incorrect, I'd sure like to know!

doc

[KeeperOfTheGood]

Hey oh

It was what I learned in grade and high school. Part of the history of the discovery of the americas and what was found instead of spices.

I have read and heard a number of legends and urban myths about potatos, but that is all they are. The potato has as coloured a history as the tomatoe.

http://www.indepthinfo.com/potato/history.shtml

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Histo...atoHistory.htm

http://gourmet.sympatico.ca/vegetabl...to/history.htm

http://radio.boisestate.edu/informat...o/ancient.html

http://www.brown.edu/Students/Cataly...es/potato.html