The nutritional value of potatoes is beyond your imagination! If you’re looking for an ingredient that is easy to grow, convenient to store, delicious, and, most importantly, provides a variety of essential nutrients, then potatoes are the answer. It is said that due to their low cultivation requirements and high nutritional value, potatoes are a must-have food for space travel and Mars colonization. This article will explore the comprehensive nutritional value of this miraculous food and provide tips on how to store potatoes to keep them fresh for a long time. Finally, we will share an exclusive potato recipe. Read on to find out more.
The High Nutritional Value of Potatoes: Exploring the Treasure Given by the Gods
The potato is a nutritionally rich whole-grain food. It not only has a high nutritional content but also various medicinal values and practical uses, historically saving humanity multiple times. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, providing a substantial amount of energy and increasing satiety. Additionally, potatoes are abundant in dietary fiber, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and small amounts of proteins and fats. These nutrients help maintain a healthy immune system, promote digestive health, and regulate blood pressure, making potatoes an essential source of balanced nutrition. Due to its rich nutritional value, the potato is also known as “earth apple.”
The Miraculous Benefits of Potatoes
★ A Gift from the Gods – The Amazing Potato
Human history is filled with wars, disasters, and diseases, which often lead to population declines and food shortages. In ancient times, the lack of advanced agricultural technology and preventive measures severely limited crop growth. Consequently, when faced with pests, natural disasters, or other calamities, people’s livelihoods were often severely affected, sometimes even leading to the destruction of families and loss of lives.
In his teachings, Grandmaster JinBodhi mentioned that potatoes might be a manifestation of Heaven’s compassion and gift to all living beings. Potatoes combine the nutritional benefits of grains, vegetables, and fruits, are gluten-free, have stable yields, and do not require seeds for reproduction, as they can propagate asexually. This makes potatoes an all-encompassing food capable of supporting human survival, helping people endure many difficult times of famine.
Where is the Gods’ Potato Experiment Station located?
Growing Potatoes is Easy! Here Are 2 Methods to Extend Their Freshness
Potatoes prefer to grow in cold, dry environments. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in various soil and climate conditions, making them a golden food during droughts. When planting potatoes, first select healthy potatoes and cut them into chunks, ensuring each chunk has at least one eye (the recessed part of the tuber that can sprout). Then, choose the appropriate season for planting, which typically depends on local climate conditions and the characteristics of the potato variety. Generally, the planting cycle of potatoes varies based on the variety, planting season, and environmental conditions, usually taking 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest.
Compared to other staple crops, potatoes have a shorter growing period and excellent storability. If harvested potatoes are stored in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry place, their shelf life can be extended. Additionally, the Incas used the low nighttime temperatures and daytime sunlight to create “freeze-dried potatoes,” which could be stored in underground storage rooms for several years without losing their nutritional value. Conversely, if potatoes are stored in a damp and hot environment, they can easily sprout and mold. Here are two methods for preserving potatoes:
● Room Temperature Storage:
Clean the dirt off the surface of the potatoes and place them in a paper bag. Store the bag in a cool, well-ventilated area, avoiding exposure to sunlight. You can also store potatoes with apples, as the ethylene released by apples can prevent the potatoes from sprouting.
● Frozen Storage:
Clean and peel the potatoes and steam them until cooked. Then, cut the steamed potatoes into small pieces and place them in an airtight container. Store the container in the freezer. When you want to eat them, you don’t need to defrost; just cook them directly.
※ Note:
When potatoes sprout, the eyes and roots begin to turn green, the entire potato produces a large amount of solanine. Even if you remove the sprouted parts or cook the potato at high temperatures, the toxicity of solanine cannot be completely eliminated. Consuming too much solanine may lead to acute poisoning, causing symptoms such as headaches and abdominal pain. Therefore, remember not to eat sprouted potatoes! [Note 1]
Introduction to Potato-Producing Regions, It Grows Everywhere!
Potatoes are one of the world’s most important food crops, with production areas spanning Central and South America, Russia, France, Ireland, the United States, Canada, China, India, South Africa, Egypt, New Zealand, and more. It is a crucial global crop, ranking fourth in production after rice, corn, and wheat. Potatoes originally came from the Andes Mountains in South America, particularly around Peru. They can be found in a wide range of environments, from high-altitude regions with low rainfall and large temperature differences between day and night to hot and humid equatorial areas. As the native country of potatoes, Peru boasts thousands of native potato varieties, differing in color and shape, all non-GMO. Due to their rich nutritional value, ease of storage, and adaptability to various harsh climates, potatoes have become a staple food in Peru. For South Americans, potatoes are as integral to life and culture as rice is to the Chinese.
Exploring the Cultural Significance of Potatoes
Potatoes hold deep cultural significance around the world. In the 16th century, as Europeans colonized new lands, the Spanish brought potatoes to Europe. From there, European explorers and colonizers spread them across the globe, creating a significant impact worldwide. When potatoes were first introduced to Europe, they were rejected due to their underground growth and unattractive appearance, and they were even considered food for slaves. However, by the late 18th century, potatoes had become a staple food crop in many European countries, saving people from famine and war.
In Central and South America, potatoes were the staple food of the ancient Incas, regarded as a sacred crop given to humanity by the earth, symbolizing the vitality of the land, and were used as offerings. In Ireland, potatoes are considered a national staple, representing a resilient and simple lifestyle. In Germany, potatoes are a symbol of common folk cuisine, with supermarkets offering a wide variety of potato products. Some young German couples even exchange potatoes when they are in love, as for them, “love is as precious as potatoes.” In many countries, potatoes are also an essential ingredient for family gatherings and holidays, symbolizing reunion and happiness. Overall, potatoes are not only a nutritious food but also carry rich cultural emotions and historical memories.
The Contributions of Potatoes to the World
Potato Recipes | JinBodhi Health Recipe: Bodhi Braised Rice Cakes
What comes to mind when you think of potato dishes? Is it potato salad, potato stew, or potato pancakes? There are countless ways to prepare potatoes, transforming them into a variety of delicious dishes. Now, let’s share an exclusive, simple, and tasty potato recipe, so you can become a master chef at home!
【Ingredients】
- 2 potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)
- Rice cake sticks
- 1 head of cabbage (shredded)
- 3 tomatoes (peeled and diced)
- 4 bell peppers (cut into pieces)
- Spiced pressed tofu (cut into pieces)
- 1 block of plain tofu (cut into pieces)
- Japanese curry cubes
【Seasonings】
Sichuan peppercorns, cumin seeds, salt, chopped green onions, minced ginger, and red shallots
【Special Seasoning】
- Place a small pinch of Sichuan peppercorns and cumin seeds into a dry pan without oil.
- Turn the heat to high and lightly stir-fry them until you hear popping sounds from the peppercorns and cumin seeds.
- Once the color darkens, turn off the heat and let the residual heat continue to dry them until they are fragrant and slightly charred.
- Pour the mixture onto a cutting board, crush the ingredients into a powder, and place it in a bowl for later use.
【Instructions】
- Heat a large iron wok on high, then add oil to heat the wok.
- Add the seasonings in order: Sichuan peppercorns, cumin seeds, minced ginger, shallots, and chopped green onions, and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add the dried tofu and bell peppers, and stir-fry until evenly mixed.
- Add the cabbage, stir-frying evenly, and season with salt to taste.
- Add the tomatoes, lightly stir, then add soy sauce to taste.
- Add the curry cubes (to taste), potatoes, and rice cake sticks (as much as you like), lightly stir-frying them.
- Add the tofu, then pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, cover the wok, and bring to a boil on high heat.
- Once it boils, gently press the tofu down and reduce the heat to medium-low, simmering for at least 30 minutes (if the rice cakes are pre-cooked, simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking).
- After 30 minutes, turn off the heat and stir in the special seasoning until well mixed.
Video Tutorial: https://www.jinbodhi.org/en/84362/
Precautions for Eating Potatoes
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Further Reading:
References: [Note 1] https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=5049&id=19895
