What Are Your Plans For Potato Day?

August 19th is Potato Day

Just when I’ve finished celebrating Sneak Some Zucchini On Your Neighbor’s Porch day (August 8), I realized that Potato Day is right around the corner on August 19th. I had a lot of fun celebrating SSZOYNP (see above) day this year because it was my first year with a vegetable garden and we have a lot of zucchinis! The picture below was taken by my neighbors (and good friends) after they found a big surprise on their doorstep. They recognized my handwriting, next time I will have to disguise it! (Image: Copyright K. Ford 2010.)

Celebrate Potato Day August 19

I’m not growing any potatoes (maybe next year) so I thought I’d get some ideas by looking around to see how other people celebrate.

Where Do They Come From?

“Genetic testing of the wide variety of cultivars and wild species suggests that the potato has a single origin in the area of southern Peru” (wikipedia). National Potato day in Peru was celebrated on May 30th in the Junin Region this year. It was organized by authorities to celebrate an increase in production and included an exhibition of the varieties of native potatoes (livinginperu.com).

American Potatoes

Wild potatoes grow in the U.S. and were part of the American Indian’s diet. Potatoes were already an important part of European cooking by the time the first settlers arrived in what is now the U.S. and “potatoes were planted in Idaho as early as 1838″ (wikipedia). Wild potatoes come in colorful varieties, like the ones pictured below:

Celebrate potato day by trying a different kind of potato – check at your local store and you might be surprised by what is available (they have purple potatoes at mine). Or, celebrate with a different kind of colorful potato…

Mr.  Potato Head

The Controversial French Fries

Potatoes were introduced to Europe in the 1500′s but not popular in France until the 1800′s. The name ‘french fries’ comes from Thomas Jefferson’s description of “potatoes, fried in the French manner.” In fact, many Belgians claim that Belgium is the country of origin for fried potatoes. This tasty treat became controversial again in 2003 when conservatives wanted to call them “Freedom Fries” as part of a boycott of French goods and businesses (going so far as to attempt to remove the word ‘French’ from products). This confused my Freedom Poodle to no end, as he kept one wondering why he was still on a leash…

Posen Potato Festival

If you can hold off for a few days, you can celebrate your love of the potato at the Posen Potato Festival in Posen, Michigan. It features the potato as it’s main theme, but also celebrates the village’s Polish heritage with polkas, traditional clothing, and crafts. This year is the 59th annual festival and it is held Sept 10 – 12th.

There is also a parade and a fair, something called a “bump-n-run” (sounds risque, anyone know what that is?), as well as rides and tasty concession trailers (I’m betting there will be french fries there, and maybe even some potato filled perogies?!).

Potato Recipes

If you’re sad that you missed out on Sneak a Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day (or if you were the lucky recipient of a zucchini) you can combine both holidays with a lovely recipe for Crispy Zucchini Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Sour Cream from YNN.com.

Or, make Betty’s Super Flavorful Twice Baked Potatoes…

Other Uses For Potatoes

Haven’t Had Your Fill of Potatoes Yet? Check out my article “German Street Food: Potato Pancakes and Curry Wurst.”