An Irish potato is an edible tuber from the Solanum tuberosum plant, which is actually native to South America, not Ireland.
One source claimed Potatoes are not native to Ireland but likely originated in the Andes Mountains of Peru, South America. In the early 1500s, Spanish conquerors found the Incas growing the vegetable, which the Spanish called patata.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was do all the Irish love potatoes?
One way to think about this is irish stereotypes clearly indicated what a hard life many Irish people had. And, in short, as for dispelling these Irish stereotypes, to say that all the Irish love potatoes wouldn’t be fair or accurate .
Can you eat Irish potatoes year round?
Like other tubers, the Irish potato keeps well when it is stored in cool, dry conditions, and as a result it is usually available year-round . When you are selecting Irish potatoes to eat, look for specimens that do not have soft spots or slimy areas.
Lets find out. and remember, with no grocery stores, you can only eat what you grow . Poor Irish weather makes the ‘earlies’ (a potato planted early in the growing season, it can be dug up, washed and eaten right away) a fast, easy way to get your family fed before the rest of the crop comes up.
Why did the Irish eat potatoes during the Potato Famine?
The Irish ate potatoes because they grew very easily and prolifically, even in poor soil , so they became part of the staple diet.
An answer is that the potato has played an important role in Irish Art. Achill Island’s (County Mayo) desolate beauty of the West of Ireland has inspired many Irish artists, including Paul Henry, whose well-known works “The Potato Diggers” (1910) and ‘The Potato Pickers” (1912) were painted on the Island.
This of course begs the query “What happened to the Irish potato crop?”
Some articles claimed A blight ruined the Irish potato crop from 1845 to 1849. The flesh of an Irish potato is a creamy white, and it is covered with a white to cream-colored skin which may be mottled with black flecks or marks. Irish potatoes are classified as waxy, which means that they are ideally suited to boiling, as they will hold their shape well.
What are the health benefits of potatoes?
Well, from a dietary standpoint, the potato is a nutritional powerhouse . It contains vital nutrients like B6, potassium, vitamin C, copper and maganese. Pack in a healthy punch of fiber and you’re not doing too badly.