Potatoes – the world’s most versatile veggie

They were mentioned in The Lord of the Rings as a favorite Hobbit food. They are referred to as “apples of the earth” in French. And, they are one of America’s leading crops each year. What are they? Potatoes. 

Yet however popular they seem to be, potatoes are frequently overshadowed by other vegetables. At BYU-Idaho, however, potatoes are often an essential part of a college-student’s diet.

“Potatoes are more than just a staple around here, they’re a way of life,” McKenzie Walton, a freshman from Idaho Falls and frequent potato-eater said.

Americans consume 126 pounds of potatoes per person per year, many of which are grown right here in Idaho. In addition, the potato is one of the United States’ biggest crops, with 35 billion pounds being produced annually according to www.idahopotato.com.

Potatoes are also no strangers to the food pyramid. One potato offers 40 percent more potassium than a banana and contains high amounts of iron, protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates, all of which are needed to sustain health and energy levels, according to www.potatoes.com.

There are at least 101 different ways to enjoy potatoes according to Stephanie Ashcraft, author of “101 Things To Do With a Potato.” Whether boiled, baked, fried, mashed or put in a casserole, the possibilities are endless.

Potatoes are not only part of our meals in Idaho, they’re part of our culture. We use potato jargon everyday and probably don’t even realize it. For instance, we may refer to a lazy roommate as a “couch potato” or anything that burns our hands as a “hot potato.”

Mr. Potato Head can also attest to the importance of potatoes.

After all, he created an entire merchandise line fashioned after the extraordinary vegetable and ultimately transformed the potato into a timeless icon.