Honouring the humble spud

National Potato Day gives this trusted household staple a moment of glory with celebratory events taking place all over the country. It is earmarked for this Friday, promoted by the Irish Potato Federation and the IFA.

 

Whether it’s boiled, baked, mashed or roasted, the unassuming spud is quietly appreciated the world over. In fact, Ireland loves potatoes so much that we consume 175,000 tonnes of them.

The farm gate value of the potato sector in the country was estimated at €122 million for the 2012/2013 season.

Celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio has developed a number of new potato recipes to encourage all of us to get cooking. Visit www.potato.ie for these great new ideas, videos, competitions and further details including a list of National Potato Day activities.

Did you know:

Some people have concerns in relation to consuming potatoes when it comes to weight management. They often incorrectly identify potatoes as having a higher fat content compared with pasta and rice, when in fact potatoes have the lowest fat content.

A baked potato in its skin contains more fibre than two slices of wholemeal bread! If you want all the nutritional benefits, be sure to eat the potato’s flavourful skin as well as its creamy centre.

Carbohydrate is the main fuel for your body and brain. Potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates, making them perfect for athletes and recreational exercisers alike.

An average portion of potatoes (175g/6oz) provides nearly half the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C, a vital vitamin for healthy bones, teeth and skin, promoting lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure, and fighting of all sorts of diseases.

Meath, Dublin, Wexford, Louth, Donegal and Cork are the largest potato growing counties in Ireland. China is now the world’s largest potato-producing country, and nearly a third of the world’s potatoes are harvested in China and India.