Aug. 19 is National Potato Day. Celebrate by eating potatoes prepared your favorite way.
Potatoes are a versatile vegetable. They are eaten at all three meals of the day and as snacks. Although most people prefer potatoes cooked, they can be eaten raw. Potatoes are eaten baked, boiled, fried, made into soup, salad or smothered with your favorite toppings.
Potatoes are the largest vegetable crop in the world. They were first cultivated in Peru ca. 5,000-7,000 B.C. The humble tuber was exported to Europe by Spanish in 1570; it was then introduced to North America by the English. Potatoes are not just brown; they are red, yellow, white and blue/purple.
Potatoes are grown in all 50 states. The United States' potato production in 2020 was about 42.7 billion pounds. The top five potato-producing states are Idaho, Washington, Wisconsin, Colorado and Oregon. The world鈥檚 largest potato producer is China.
Americans consume about 110 pounds of potatoes per person per year. Potatoes are a healthy food choice (it is the toppings that get you into trouble!). One medium-sized potato has 110 calories, 2 grams of fiber, 620 mg of potassium and vitamins C and B-6. Most of the potato鈥檚 nutrients are found in the skin.