Potatoes the American Staple Food and a Healthy Starch

 Archaeologists found potato remains as far back as 500 BC in the ancient ruins of Peru and Chile. Today, potatoes are a staple food here in the United States and a popular vegetable worldwide.

Of the many types of potatoes, the Blue and Purple potatoes mostly available during the fall originated in South America and today are widely cultivated in the United States. The Red potato has a rosy red skin and is well suited for salads, roasting, boiling, and steaming. The Russet Burbank potato is disease resistant, developed and named after Horticulturist Luther Burbank in 1872. This potato is high in starch and is the most popular potato of all. The White potato has a medium starch level, creamy texture when cooked, and a light tan skin. This all-purpose potato is excellent for mashing and is available year round.