Potatoes originated here in Peru, with the first record being found in a cave in the Chilca Valley in the Canete region and dating back to 8,000BC! After that, potatoes were grown in the Ayacucho area from 4,400BC on.
The United Nations has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato, which gives Peru and Peruvian cuisine a chance to shine! Their mission is to "increase awareness of the importance of the potato as a food in developing nations."
High in the Andes, a large majority of the Peruvian potatoes grow. Because of a lack of variety in the crops that are able to grow at such high altitudes, potatoes are a staple in the Andes diet. We were served potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner in various forms.
Potatoes are the theme for the very first Snackshots, hosted by Greedy Gourmet. The photo on the top is being entered as the Snackshot: Potatoes.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Plenty of Potatoes, Trip to the Andes I
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5 comments:
My favorite Andean potato fact is that they invented what is in essence freeze dried potatoes.
I miss all the varieties I had access to in Ecuador.
I miss yellow potatoes! i can't find them in canada.
Blair - I definitely need to share something with those freeze dried potatoes, papa seca. I do love them. Thanks for reminding me!
Jocelyn - Papa amarilla are definitely unique. Although I don't love them as mashed potatoes, I do love them in soups!
Wow, thanks for the informative post, Gretchen. I didn't even know potatoes originally come from Peru. Thanks for participating in SnackShots. Be sure to check out the roundup soon and don't forget to vote!
Oh, I miss the little yellow papas criollas in Colombia! I wish I could get them here in the US. Your photos bring back some great memories.
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