Potato

Potatoes are edible tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, patatera of the family Solanaceae. This is one of the most consumed foods worldwide, surpassed only by three cereals, wheat, rice and corn. In Latin America, they are called potatoes.

There are many varieties of potatoes, more than 200, depending on the meat, the color of the skin, egg yolks, shape and size. And depending on the variety, some are more appropriate for frying others are best for boiling, or to prepare steamed or salad or mashed, etc.. Anyway, today, at the time of purchase, and find classified by end use're going to give, in supermarkets and are selected for one thing or another.

Once home, we must keep them in a well-ventilated single layer and dim, if not germinate.

Uses potato

The use of the potato in the kitchen is infinite, such is its gastronomic possibilities. You can fry, bake, steam boiling, sauteing, roasting. And they are preparing soups, stews, purees, cakes, soufflés, sweets, salads, croquettes and a long list of other delicious recipes.

Also with the tubers produced some alcoholic beverages such as vodka and some kind of Japanese shochu. Even the tubers, thanks to the starch they contain, are very useful for many industrial applications (coverage for paper, textiles, etc..)

Nutritional properties Red potatoes scattered from wicker basket

As for its nutritional properties, it is noteworthy that are rich in potassium, so the potatoes are beneficial to help control blood pressure, are vasodilatory and diuretic. They also help soothe muscle cramps and rheumatic problems. They are also rich in vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus and contain many carbohydrates are a very healthy source of energy for the proper functioning of the body.

Add, such as noted above, the potatoes are rich in starch therefore also possess beneficial properties used externally on the skin. For example, as a softening of the skin, relieves pain and reduces inflamed parts. Therefore, it is very common to prepare masks or potato juice applied to bruises, blisters, chilblains, etc.. even put a slice of raw potato on tired eyes, helps combat the swelling, puffiness and conjunctivitis. Anyway, check before preparing anything that will be for internal use raw potato as the toxicity of the potato plant. We must clarify that the potato plant is toxic because it contains an alkaloid, solanine. This toxic compound is in the outer parts of the plant (stem, flowers, leaves and fruits) and also in outbreaks when germinating or when they are still very green and tender.

There is a popular belief that says the most nutritious of the potato is on your skin. This is not true, at 100%. Skin contains most of the fiber itself, and some nutritional properties, but the other nutrients are inside.