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The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, commonly grown for its starchy tuber. Potatoes are the world's most widely grown tuber crop, and the fourth largest crop in terms of fresh produce (after rice, wheat, and maize), but this ranking is inflated due to the high water content of fresh potatoes relative to that of other crops. The potato originated in the Andes, likely somewhere in present-day Peru or Bolivia. Potatoes form an important part of Andean culture, and the farmers grow many different varieties possessing a remarkable diversity of colors and shapes. Potatoes spread to the rest of the world after European contact with the Americas in the late 1400s and early 1500s.
Botanical description
Potato plants have a low-growing habit and bear white to purple flowers with yellow stamens.
Buds called "eyes" appear on the surface of potato tubers. Since common varieties of potatoes do not produce seeds (they bear sterile flowers), propagation occurs by planting pieces of existing tubers, cut to include at least one eye. Confusingly, these pieces can bear the name "seed potatoes". The haulm or shaw of the potato plant may wither if early harvesting does not occur.
After potato plants flower, some varieties will produce small green fruit that look similar to green cherry-tomatoes. These produce seeds like other fruits. Insects can cross-pollinate the flowers of different potato plants. Each of the fruits can contain up to 300 true seeds. One can separate the seeds from the fruits by putting them in a blender on a slow speed with some water, then leaving them in water for a day so that the seeds will sink and the rest of the fruit will float. Potato fruit contains poisonous substances: one should not eat them. However, some horticulturists sell chimeras made by grafting a tomato plant onto a potato plant, which can produce both edible tomatoes and potatoes. These chimera plants are more commonly known as "the Miraculous Tuber-Plant".
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Baked Potato Casserole - Includes American cheese, and mayonnaise topped with bacon and olives.
Meta Description: [ Baked Potato Casserole ]
Bengali-style Oven-fried Potatoes - Spices used include turmeric, cumin, cayenne pepper.
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CrissCross Potatoes - Serve with sour cream and chives.
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Easy Blender Potato Kugel - Recipe calls for five potatoes, onion, eggs, and flour. Includes photo.
Funeral Potatoes - Often served at funerals and Church parties in Utah.
Meta Description: [ The KSL.COM Website ]
Garlic Roasted Potatoes - Provides step by step instructions with photos and reader comments.
Meta Description: [ Step by step recipe instructions for garlic roasted potatoes complete with photographs and reader comments and discussion ]
Greek Potatoes - Potatoes are tossed with garlic, oregano, oil and lemon juice.
Hasselback Potatoes - Swedish version of baked potatoes.
Meta Description: [ The KSL.COM Website ]
Microwave Dutch Oven Potatoes - Made with onion and bacon.
Meta Description: [ The KSL.COM Website ]
Mustard Herb Potatoes - Made with potatoes, mustard, oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and basil.
Meta Description: [ The KSL.COM Website ]
Oven Fried Potatoes - Includes Parmesan cheese and other seasonings.
Meta Description: [ Southern Collard Greens-The Recipe Corner: a quick recipe resource with many poultry, beef, salad, bread, and dessert recipes.
Oven Fried Potatoes - Real Man's Cookbook presents a basic recipe.
Meta Description: [ Better than boiled, hashed, mashed or masticated - oven fried potatoes will set off any meal. Get the Recipe at the Real Man's Cookbook. ]
Potatoes O'Diana - Features frozen hash browns, sour cream, onions, cheddar cheese and other seasonings.
Meta Description: [ The best cheesy creamy hash browned potato bake you will ever try. Get the Recipe at the Real Man's Cookbook. ]
Scalloped Potatoes - Offers several methods, including microwave.
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Stuffed Spud - Includes several stuffing and topping variations.
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Watch Your Garden Grow - Potato - One recipe using potatoes, tips for growing them in your garden, and information on the various types available.
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