2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Purple potatoes (lat. Vitelotte) - a tuberous plant belonging to the Bindweed family, popularly called the "Negro" and resulting from the crossing of equatorial varieties with wild African varieties.
History
The exact origin of the purple potato is currently unknown. It is believed that his homeland is South America (in particular, Bolivia and Peru) - there this crop is still grown in huge quantities.
As for the word "vitelot", it is of French origin and was first mentioned in 1812. And in Paris' Notes on Agriculture, published in 1817, purple potatoes are described as one of the six best-known potato varieties sold in Parisian markets. By the way, the famous Alexander Dumas was very partial to this variety.
Description
The oblong tubers of purple potatoes are covered with a dark purple and rather thick rind - it is so dark that sometimes it even seems black. Such a thick skin allows the tubers to provide excellent keeping quality. And under the peel is concentrated pulp of almost the same color (such an interesting color is due to the rather high content of anthocyanins). Moreover, even after heat treatment, the color of the tubers remains unchanged. Their length rarely exceeds ten centimeters, and the average weight of one nodule is about seventy grams.
Purple potatoes ripen quite late, and this crop cannot boast of a high yield either. But these amazing root vegetables are famous for their light nutty flavor.
Application
Purple potatoes are an excellent product for making mashed potatoes - they boil very much, and the very high starch content in it contributes to this. By the way, the rich lilac shade of such a puree can delight everyone who tries it at least once!
Purple potatoes are very tasty and fried or boiled. It is also baked in the oven and added to first courses, casseroles, salads and stews.
Regular consumption of such potatoes can reduce the risk of developing chronic heart disease and strengthen immunity (this is facilitated by ascorbic acid). The antioxidants contained in these unusual tubers help slow down the aging process, and beneficial pigments significantly improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. This product also contains valuable dietary fiber that prevents constipation and significantly improves the functions of the digestive system. By the way, this property helps to quickly lose a few extra pounds.
In terms of vitamin C content, a couple of purple potato tubers can be safely equated to one lemon.
In folk medicine, purple potatoes are widely used to prevent strokes and to lower blood pressure. And if there is such a valuable product every day, you can quickly strengthen the walls of blood vessels and significantly improve vision. And the risk of developing atherosclerosis in this case also decreases significantly. Moreover, the systematic inclusion of purple potatoes in the diet helps to reduce the risk of developing a number of cancers.
Contraindications
Purple potatoes can harm hypotonic patients and people with individual intolerance. And everyone else simply should not abuse this unusual product.
Diseases and pests
Purple potatoes are often affected by leaf blight and scab. And Colorado beetles are very fond of them.
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So, at the very mention of potatoes, potatoes, all the kindest, pleasant, tasty, homemade, some cute summer song about this vegetable garden crop comes to mind. These are the tips of experienced gardeners we have collected here for better growth and harvest of the main heroine of the story - potatoes
