Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Potato Party

The United Nations has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato. Apparently, potato awareness is at an all-time low worldwide, and the people we trust to facilitate world peace have chosen this as a key action item for this year's agenda.

Always ready to help, the lovely Wikipedians have prepared an entire page on how to celebrate IYOP. This page includes inspiring photos of a heart-shaped potato and some purple spuds, along with a handy, two-item list of "Things You'll Need" (1. Potatoes. 2. Information about potatoes.)

It also shares the puzzling news that the potato--an important potential source of nutrition, according to the U.N.-- loses most of it's vitamins when baked, boiled, or fried...but should not be eaten raw because our bodies can't digest the starch. I know I'm no expert at this cooking thing, but what exactly is left in terms of preparation techniques if you take the big three out of the mix-- Toasted? Flame broiled like a Whopper? Smoked?

I plan to celebrate with a bag of Ruffles. You know, just to do my part.

8 comments:

mslizalou said...

I'm in with a bag of baked chips too.

Keri Mikulski said...

I love potatoes - Fries, chips, tater tots.. Yum! ;)

Unknown said...

curses! you had to go and mention burger king and now i'm hungry--nay, hungrIER. :)

L Sass said...

Now THIS is a holiday I can get behind. Although I, too, am baffled about what preparation method might be appropriate.

I usually microwave mine. Is that safe?

Vanessa said...

I'm one of the very few people who do not like potatoes. Sweet potatoes though, look out, I'll trample you to get one of those!

Melissa Maris said...

Ooh I just bought a bag of sliced sweet potatoes last night. Perhaps I'll have to crack it tonight to celebrate!

Larramie said...

An entire year to celebrate the potato? Idaho must be thrilled! *VBG*

LEstes65 said...

I had baked potato chips this evening. I feel so...informed.