That Handy Potato

Anyone with a garden plot able to grow potatoes, should give it a try. The average large potato is high in vitamins C and B6, and the necessary mineral Potassium. They also provide moderate amounts of Thiamin, Niacin, Foliate, Manganese, Phosphorus and Magnesium. A large potato can even supply up to 7 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber.

Being early December, most, if not all garden potato crops in the US should be safely tucked away in a nice, cool storage area for the winter. And, yes, if stored properly, potatoes can last through the winter.

Now, what to do with these handy, nutritious tubers? Well, you can bake them, mash them, boil them, or fry them in many different ways. After a few months of boiled or baked or fried potatoes, one can certainly become tired of them. Well, here are a few recipes to mix things up a bit. As with all recipes here, the focus is on using locally obtainable produce. Enjoy!

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Potato Garlic Pie

• 1 pound of boiled potatoes. Scrubbing the skin off is optional.
• 5 or 6 cloves of fresh shredded or finely sliced garlic.
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs (Italian style is best but plain is fine)
• 3 Tablespoons sweet butter
• 1 cup whole milk (2% or skim is fine as well)
• 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (Other shredded hard cheeses will work as well)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Butter a 9 inch pie pan.
Cut the potatoes into thin slices.
Place the potatoes, garlic, cheese and slices of butter into layers.
Warm the milk and slowly pour over the top.
Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
Bake for about one hour until the top is golden brown

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Potato Onion Croquettes

• 4 boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes
• 1 medium or small onion
• Plain bread crumbs
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  

Finely chop onion and lightly saute. The point is to soften the pieces, not caramelize them. Allow them to cool
Mix the mashed potatoes, egg whites, onion pieces and salt into an even mixture.
Roll into balls about one inch in diameter. Cover them with bread crumbs.
Deep fry in a high quality oil like canola or sunflower.
Drain and enjoy.

--Potato nutrition data obtained here.
--For more information about growing and storing your own potatoes, browse to the University of Illinois Extension Service website.