The humble spud has its day in the sun

The humble spud — where would we be without it? If you’ve ever pondered that question, and you probably haven’t, then today is the day to muse on it further, as October 3 marks the return of National Potato Day.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2014 - 01:00

Noel Baker

An initiative of Bord Bia, alongside the Irish Potato Federation and the Irish Farmers Association, National Potato Day aims to extol the virtues of a vegetable which is inextricably linked with age-old notions of Irishness. There is even a website — www.potato.ie — stuffed with recipes, industry contacts, and ‘Spud Trivia’.

This is a goldmine of potato-related knowledge, such as the fact that, in October 1995, the potato became the first vegetable to be grown in space, thanks to the efforts of Nasa workers, and that the world’s biggest potato was grown in Germany in 1997 weighing 3.2kg, “the same weight as a small dog”.

There is also a chance to win a Potato Clock.

On a more serious note, the website notes China is now the world’s largest potato-producing country.

Lorcan Bourke of Bord Bia said: “We know that Irish people love the potato, and while many people continue to enjoy traditional potato-based meals, we are seeing increased interest in more contemporary and adventurous ways of cooking potatoes using modern ingredients and internationally influenced recipes.”

The classic beef and potato stew is still the most downloaded potato recipe, according to the new website, ahead of such new-fangled efforts as potato bites with egg and cheese and a Spanish recipe, patatas revolconas, that includes paprika.

Pádraic Óg Gallagher, the president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the proprietor and executive chef of Gallagher’s Boxty House, said the potato was “the star of our menu”, while another chef, Catherine Fulvio, has contributed recipes to potato.ie.

Tips also include how to prepare the best baked potato, spud recipes for Christmas, and a list of National Potato Day events taking place today.

All that, and not even a mention of a chip...

Hot potato