Potato is the uncrowned king of vegetables. The most versatile among vegetables, the potato is a very nutritious root vegetable that tastes great, whether you boil, fry, bake, or cook it down with other ingredients. 

Let’s look at what makes the potato beloved to as many different palates, its health benefits, some great potato recipe ideas, and unique potato-based cultural products.

Why is potato such an all-time favorite?

The potato was adopted by homes in the South American Andes around 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. Hundreds of years later, the Spanish introduced it to the Europeans and the Portuguese brought it to India. It felt very local to every region’s palate, and people welcomed the potato wherever it went. Plus, it was a very adaptive root vegetable that could grow in various climates and soil conditions, and you could easily store it for long periods. It was profitable to cultivate potatoes and trade them. 

Potato’s versatility is perhaps its greatest asset. It doesn’t just taste great, it can be paired with almost anything. You can use it for an appetizer, entree, snack, or side, and have it for breakfast! It competes closely with the onion as the most cultivated vegetable on the planet and is no less popular than the tomato.

Health benefits of potatoes

Science has nearly killed the late 20th-century diet myth that “potatoes are fattening”. While they may not be as low-calorie as their rival, the tomato, they are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates. A potato-inclusive diet helps ensure stable energy levels throughout the day. Here are a few health benefits of potatoes that tell how potatoes tie into a healthy and flavorful diet. 

1. Nutrient-rich: Potatoes are rich in carbs, as well as essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium,
   Vitamin B6, and C
2. Improves blood sugar control & digestive health: The complex starch structure of potatoes slows down gastric emptying, nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, improves digestive health, and contributes to better blood sugar control
3. Acts as an antioxidant: The Vitamin C in potatoes is an excellent antioxidant and helps mitigate the formation of free radicals in the body and strengthens the immune system
4. Fullness and weight regulation: The complex carbs in potatoes help you feel full for longer and help you to manage your daily calorie-intake better 

As tasty as they are no matter which way you do them, and healthy too, it is important to eat them in moderation and avoid cooking methods that use too much fat. 

Yummy potato recipes to try this season!

Want to do more justice to the ‘king’ than eating potato chips, fries, and a good old mash? Here are some must-try potato recipes to explore! Most are halal recipes, but you can skip bacon or other non-halal items or substitute them. 

1. Hasselback potatoes by Love & Lemons
2. Crispy roast potatoes by Serious Eats
3. Potatoes au gratin by Nagi from Recipetin Eats
4. Twice-baked potatoes by the Pioneer Woman
5. Creamy potato soup by Sam Merritt of Sugar Spun Run

How can we wrap the “potato without a samosa”?  

It’d be unfair if this intro to the king of veggies ends without a mention of the famous Indian potato samosa. When the Portuguese brought potatoes to India, the meaty and nutty samosa of the royal courts became the common folks’ favorite street food. The traditional samosa wrapper was filled with potatoes seasoned with Indian spices and herbs, and deep-fried to everyone’s delight. 

Time for you to get frying and make a fresh starch? 

Do it with Kaiser’s Lahori and Punjabi potato samosas!