Produce Briefs...
Garlic Flowers
Garlic flowers are essentially the flowering seeds of a garlic plant. They emerge at the tip of the garlic's above-ground stem. The seeds appear once the garlic has reached maturity or if the plant begins to bolt early
Wasabi
Wasabi is a perennial and a member of the Cruciferae family. It is grown mainly for its underground rhizome (tuber) which produces branch-less, edible leaves above ground. A mature wasabi root is firm, cylindrical, brown and green-skinned and tapered.
Seasons/Availability
Purple potatoes are available year round, though winter reduces crop availability mid winter into spring.
Current Facts
The Purple potato, botanical name Solanum andigenum, is the name designated to dozens of heirloom and heritage varieties of Purple potatoes. Common names of these varieties include Purple Peruvian (fingerling variety), All Blue, Congo, Lion's Paw, Vitilette, Purple Viking and Purple Majesty. Purple Majesty is known the the deepest purple of all purple varieties, hence the given name. Purple potatoes are grown for both fresh market potatoes and for chipping potatoes.
Description/Taste
Purple potatoes have deep violet, ink-colored skin and flesh. Depending on the specific variety, their coloring can be opaque or marble throughout the flesh. Purple potatoes are inherently dry, starchy, earthy and slightly nutty in flavor. Though one may find that many purple varieties of potatoes yield small tubers, they are generally harvested young. If left to grow to maturity they become large and oblong, making them suitable for baking and mashing.
Nutritional Value
Unlike white -fleshed potatoes, Purple potatoes are rich in the antioxidant, anthocyanin. This flavonoid is most often found in blue, red and purple produce such as berries and pomegranates and has been shown to be an immune system booster and aid in the prevention of certain cancers. The Purple potato's nutritional value and energy-rich properties have become factors for the potato's explosion in popularity in the late 20th century and early 21st century. Its ability to provide high quantities of vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants has become a valued measure of food security and sovereignty.
Applications
Purple potatoes are an invaluable staple in a South American kitchen and many recipes reflect such. Their historical culinary presence has lent them to perhaps thousands of recipes over thousands of years. Though, Peruvian in origin, the Purple potato can be utilized in any cuisine that would otherwise use potatoes. Purple potatoes can be roasted, braised, boiled, baked, fried for chips, and even confit'd. They pair well with savory herbs, garlic, pork, poultry, artichokes, both rich and mild cheese, other starchy vegetables such as corn and shelled beans and of course, salad greens.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Purple potato varieties are among hundreds of other varieties found in Parque de la Papa (Potato Park) near Cusco, a Spanish Colonial city high in the Andes. At Parque de la Papa, roughly 700 varieties native to the region are grown for food, enrichment, research, biodiversity and preservation. Most of these varieties never see a market, as they are traded among communities or given as gifts.
Geography/History
The Purple potato is native to the Lake Titicaca within the high plains and mountain slopes of Peru and Bolivia. They are among thousands of varieties that have been cultivated for nearly 8000 years in the Andean regions of Peru, Boliva, and Ecuador. The diversity of Purple potato varieties, their resistance to disease and ability to withstand harsh conditions has allowed them to evolve for thousands of years into a 21st century food crop. Purple potatoes are cultivated in potato growing regions of South America, North America and Europe.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-9085 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Urban Solace | San Diego CA | 619-295-6464 |
| Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Crab Catcher La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9587 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| Tapenade | San Diego CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Qero | Encinitas CA | 760-753-9050 |
| ComEns | Baja California CA | 646-174-2910 |
| Juan Chou | San Diego CA | 619-487-0455 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Cafe Secret | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0821 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-419-8343 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Pacific Athletic Club | San Diego CA | 858-509-0700 |
| Cowboy Star | San Diego CA | 619-450-5880 |
| Horizon School | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5599 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Belmont Park Entertainment | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Potatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Eliza Domestica |
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Roasted Butternut Squash and Purple Potatoes |
| Smitten Kitchen |
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Fork-crushed-purple-potatoes |
| Delicious Days |
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Blue Vitelotte Potato Chips with Cheddar Cheese |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Purple Potatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Walmart Near Kennesaw, Georgia, United States About 69 days ago, 4/11/13 Spotter's comments : The Walmart in acworth georgia is where. I'na bag of baby potatoes with several other types Whole Foods Market Near Lake Grove, New York, United States About 74 days ago, 4/06/13 Asda Leeds Near Pudsey, United Kingdom About 105 days ago, 3/06/13 pete's fresh produce Near Oak Brook, Illinois, United States About 123 days ago, 2/16/13 Sainsbury Leeds Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 125 days ago, 2/14/13 Spotter's comments : Albert Bartlett brand Ocado Yorkshire Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 129 days ago, 2/10/13 |
