Potatoes are undoubtedly NZ’s favourite and most versatile vegetable. Whether baked, mashed, boiled or served as those addictive and delicious deep fried chips. Across a range of cuisines, dining styles, households and events they are almost, always present. But despite the trendy ancient grains trying to knock the humble carbohydrate king off its perch –…
Sarah Wirth, President of HETTANZ discussed ‘Getting potatoes back in the classroom’ at the recent Potatoes NZ conference. The following is Sarah’s report… What I learnt from our HETTANZ members is that potatoes have never really left the classroom. Potatoes are a perfect fit with the two New Zealand curriculums areas of Home Economics and…
Potatoes are the perfect side for every meal, every day. They can be served boiled, mashed, roasted, baked or in a stew. Potatoes are great in salads, stuffed for a more substantial side and made into gnocchi, chips, wedges and hashbrowns/rostis. Potatoes are easy to prepare and are very versatile. Leftover potatoes can easily be…
New potatoes have a delicate flavour and are usually available from the end of winter. They are young potatoes and unlike their fully grown counterparts, they keep their shape once cooked and cut. They are also sweeter because their sugar has not yet converted into starch, and are therefore particularly suited to salads. Choose the…
The term ‘phytochemicals’ refers to a wide variety of compounds made by plants which affect our health. The benefits of eating potatoes because of the nutrients they contain such as carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals, is widely known. However, scientific attention is now focusing on many other potato compounds which have a range of other…
Carbohydrate-rich foods like potatoes are a good source of energy. For a balanced diet, carbohydrates should supply just over half of your daily energy needs, with most of these coming from complex carbohydrates. A great advantage of getting carbohydrates from potatoes, rather than pasta or rice, is that potatoes supply a wealth of other vital…
Potatoes can be used in the following exclusion diets: Gluten free Wheat free Dairy free Egg free Nut free Low chemical (white peeled potatoes) Moderate chemical Low FODMAP Care needs to be taken that intolerant foods are not added to potatoes during preparing, cooking and serving. We recommend people following exclusion diets consult a Dietitian…
Potatoes play an important role in feeding the world as they are one of the largest food crops on the planet. The world is increasingly facing land and water issues, so potatoes are an excellent food choice. They are an efficient plant as 85% of what grows can be eaten – however, the leaves and…
Preparing potatoes There are a number of decisions that you can make in order to maximise the nutritional benefits of potatoes. The list below shows how to ensure potatoes remain a healthy choice. Cooking with the skin on Some nutrients, particularly phytonutrients, are present in much higher concentrations in or just below the skin, in addition,…
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