Potatoes

You may have noticed that the potatoes we get have had different hues of flesh.  Potatoes actually come in a rainbow of colors, from yellow “Yukon Gold” to “Purple Peruvian”.

Potatoes technically are not roots.  They are the swollen stems of rhizomes that we call tubers.  The “eyes” of the potato are actually growth points.  While potatoes have gotten a bad rap as carbohydrates, they are actually quite good for you.  A single medium sized potato contains about 3.6 grams of protein, 3.6 grams of dietary fiber, 36 grams of carbohydrates, and between 33-50% of RDA of Vitamin C.

More colorful potatoes may actually have even more health benefits.  The pigments that provide the colors may also function as antioxidants.  And as we all know, fresh potatoes maintain more of these vitamins than potatoes sitting on the supermarket shelves.

If you have a bagged share and receive them in a plastic bag, you should transfer them into a paper bag or an open container. Potatoes should always be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.  Never leave them exposed to light, even indoor lighting, because they begin to turn green, producing a compound called solanine, which can cause chronic toxicity.