Fingerling Potatoes

In this mad mad mad world, while everyone is "low-carbing", I am eating more potatoes. What is not to love about a potato, and because there are more potatoes around due to this latest trend in eating, have no fear my friends, I shall bravely eat my share and yours I can't think of a better time to experiment with them because of all the varieties that are currently available.

Actually, the reason behind my latest insanity is that eventually, I'd like to grow potatoes in my garden, not too many varieties, just two or maybe three, but to grow them, I thought it would be good to "know" them, you know, sort of get inside the potato first. Eat it, feel it, smell it, touch it, be it. I'm thinking this will help me decide which varieties I'd like to grow. Anyway, that was my thinking when I was at the mega Price Chopper on Saturday and I found myself gaping at the HUGE display of potatoes they had. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount of choice that is available to us, would it be better if we had less choices, sometimes I think so. All the pretty colors, shapes and sizes were quite appealing, if not a bit daunting because there was nothing to explain what each type tasted like or about which ones were better for mashing, baking, boiling etc. So many potatoes, so little information, but then I spotted a cute little bag of a fingerling assortment by a company called Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc. and my troubled mind was put at ease.

I liked the little bag the potatoes were packaged in, there were recipes on it, and most importantly there was a little description about each of the three potatoes contained in the bag and that brought me closer to knowing what the flavor differences were supposed to be between a Yellow Russian Banana and a Red Thumb. I suppose a simple search on the internet could have told me these things but the price on the bag was right and what better way to experience something first hand than to put it in your mouth, right? I know Ellie would agree with me on that.

So, this cute little bag contained three varieties, Yellow Russian Banana, Red Thumb, and Ruby Crescent. I started with the Red Thumb, (the ones in the very front of the photo) which are supposed to have a rich and nutty flavor. I boiled them up and mashed them with some buttermilk, a dab of butter and some salt and pepper. YIKES, big mistake, the buttermilk was too tangy and overpowering, it distracted completely from the taste of the potato. I'll have to go back and purchase some more Red Thumb so that I can try this variety again. I can see now, that the best way to tackle this project is to just boil the potatoes up and eat them plain, with maybe just the slightest pinch of salt.

So, back to square one with the Red Thumb and onto the next variety, which I think will be the Yellow Russian Banana (far right in the photo). The Ruby Crescent remind me of red new potatoes so I'm not in a great rush to try those. After this batch is gone I'll be getting some other types and I'll be back to write about what I thought once I try each variety out. heh, so exciting!

In baby news, Ellina hailed her first cab today...(sniff) I'm so proud.

Written by Deb on February 19, 2004 03:35 PM