International Day of the Potato

 The potato is one of humanity’s most important and universally loved staple foods.  Potatoes are important for #GlobalGoals like zero hunger, sustainable agriculture and economic growth.  UN Geneva . Share your favorite potato dish in comments or use the hashtags: #InternationalDayOfPotato  to follow the converstions.

Also known as Red Bliss , these versatile medium-sized red-skinned potatoes have golden flesh and a smooth, moist texture . Their thin skins and ability to hold their shape well then cooking make them a kitchen favorite for a wide variety of preparations. Type: All-purpose Best for: Baking, boiling, roasting, mashing, potato salad Red Potato Recipes: 3-Ingredient Garlicky Red Potatoes . Extra-Garlicky Mashed Red Potatoes . Sheet Pan Home Fries . Southern Smashed Potato Salad . Au Gratin Potatoes .

Say “potato” and most people will think of Russet potatoes, also commonly referred to as Idaho potatoes. They are typically quite large with rough brown skin. Most of your french fries are made with this faithful standby. The starch makes fries fluffy on the inside, but crispy on the outside. Type: Starchy Best for: Baking, frying, mashing Russet Potato Recipes: Perfect Mashed Potatoes Scalloped Potatoes Shoestring Fries

There are three main types of potatoes to choose from at the store: starchy, waxy, and those in between (which are referred to as “all-purpose”). The trick is knowing which potato works best when. Starchy potatoes are great for baking, frying, and mashing. Because of their starch, they don’t hold together very well when cooked, but they are are fluffy and absorbent. Waxy potatoes have a smooth, waxy texture so they hold their shape while cooking. They’re good for boiling, roasting, and slicing and work well in dishes like soups, stews, and salads. “All-purpose” potatoes have a less starch than starchy potatoes, but not so much that they completely fall apart when cooked. They will work for most potato dishes. Consider these your kitchen potato standby.