Potatoes is vegetables that come in many different varieties. However, the different varieties of potatoes behaves differently when cooked. The level of starch content in the potato will determine the behavior of the potato when it is cooked.
If the level of starch content in a potato is high, the potato will break down and become fluffily when cooked. However, if the level of starch content in a potato is low, the potato will remain firm and retain it’s shape when cooked. The variety of potatoes can be identified by the skin of the potatoes.
How to Grow, Store and Cook Potatoes
If the potatoes has rough and netted skins, they are high in starch content. These types of potatoes is best used for baking as they become light and dry when baked. If the skins of the potatoes are smooth and of red or yellow color, they are waxy potatoes.
These types of potatoes are best used in salads or stews as they maintain their firmness when boiled. If the potatoes have deep purple skins, they contain antioxidant that do not fade when you roast the potatoes. The varieties of potatoes that are used for cooking will determine the outcome of the cooking of the potatoes.
In order to grow potatoes, certain step need to be taken to ensure that the potatoes grow well. One of the steps that need to be taken is to chit the seed potatoes. This means exposing the potatoes to light to allow the potatoes to sprout prior to planting the potatoes in the soil.
The potatoes should be planted deep into the soil so that soil can be piled on the potatoes to cover the stem of the potatoes. The reason for piling soil on the stems of potatoes is to prevent the potato from being exposed to light as exposure to light will cause the potatoes to turn green and taste bitter. Potatoes can also be grown in containers especially if the growing area is limited.
Fabric bag are one such container that can be used to grow potatoes as the potatoes can be easily removed from the bag. Pests can cause damage to the potatoes that are being grown in the fields. To avoid this problem, people should manage pests.
Striped beetle can eat the leaves of the potato plants. Larvae in the soil can eat the potatoes. One way to prevent the presence of these insects is to rotate the crops that are grown in a particular field.
This means that potatoes are not planted in the same field every year. Additionally, beans can be planted in the same fields as the potatoes as the beans will confuse the pests. If the pests are spotted on the potato plants, the pests can be hand-picked off the plants to save the potato plants.
After the potatoes have been harvested, they need to be cured to enable them to last for a long time. The harvested potatoes should be spread out in a warm and dim location for two weeks. This initial period allows the skins of the potatoes to toughen.
After exposure to the warm and dim location, the potatoes should be stored in a cool and dark location. Potatoes should not be stored near onions as the gases that the onions release will spoil the potatoes. These stored potatoes should be examined every month.
Any potatoes that have become soft should be discarded. The method that is used to cook the potatoes will determine the quality of the meal that is prepared. For example, if french fries are to be prepared using starchy white potatoes that are cut into thick pieces, the potatoes will produce the best results when cooked.
If mashed potatoes are to be prepared using yellow potatoes, the potatoes will break down to form a smooth texture. Red potatoes will retain their shape when cooking soups. In addition, fingerling potatoes can be roasted whole while purple potatoes can be steamed for inclusion in salads.
Despite the knowledge that many cooks have regarding potatoes, there are some mistakes that are made when potatoes are being cooked. One of these mistakes is boiling high-starch potatoes. When high-starch potatoes are boiled, they become paste-like.
Another mistake is roasting waxy potatoes as the waxy potatoes tend to steam when roasted. These types of potatoes should be cooked in ways that accommodate there characteristics. Lastly, potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator as the cold temperature will change the type of sweetness in the potatoes.
If the variety of potatoes that are selected is appropriate to the method of cooking, the potatoes will produce a good result when cooked.