Brought to you by Bord Bia
An ode to our beloved spud…
This Friday 7 October marks National Potato Day, an annual celebration of Ireland’s most treasured and tasty ingredient.
And what better way to pay tribute to our sacred spud than prepping some tasty potato-based meals this weekend?
To mark this very special day, Bord Bia has teamed up with Sports Nutritionist Daniel Davey, to encourage us all to check where our potatoes really come from.
Research conducted by Bord Bia has shown that 2 in 3 Irish people assume (incorrectly) that the potatoes used in chippers are Irish but in reality, the majority of chipping potatoes are imported. In the clip below, Daniel visits an Irish potato farm to chat through all of the reasons why we should be sourcing our spuds locally instead.
View this post on Instagram
This National Potato Day, Bord Bia is encouraging consumers to ask about the country of origin of the potatoes used in their local chipper or, if you’re prepping homemade chips yourself, to ensure you’re using locally grown potatoes instead.
And in keeping with the potato theme, we’ve decided to mark this very special day by taking a closer look at all of the reasons why this special ingredient holds such a special place in the hearts of Irish people.
1. They’re full of amazing nutrients and health benefits
Who knew the spud had so much going for it!?
Potatoes are naturally nutritious, packed with dietary fibre and Vitamins B and C. They’re also gluten-free and contain the mineral potassium, which regulates heart function, muscle contraction and water balance.
“If I was to give my own personal perspective, I think that potatoes have been under appreciated as a fuelling source. Potatoes provide a high percentage of very easy-to-digest energy in the form of carbohydrates,” says Daniel.
2. They’re so easy to cook
You don’t have to be a pro chef to make a tasty potato-based meal. In fact, they might just be one of the easiest ingredients to work with.
For average cooks, potatoes have long been a quick and easy way to enhance any meal. Cooking them with the skin on and cutting them into smaller pieces will mean they even take less time to cook! There’s so many ways to cook and enjoy potatoes, making them a staple ingredient to have in your cupboard at all times.
3. They can make almost any meal better
When it comes to enjoying potatoes, the possibilities really are endless! From tasty homemade chips to a filling and nutritious stir fry, potatoes can be a key ingredient of whatever you’re craving, thanks to their incredible versatility.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add some nutrition to any meal, Daniel recommends this tasty Skin-On Potato Wedges recipe. Perfect as a side or as a stand-alone treat, this delicious recipe requires just four ingredients and takes less than an hour to prep.
“In terms of their flexibility, potatoes can match your mood and your need. It can be that healthy takeaway option if you want to feel satisfied, and you still feel like you’ve eaten something that’s nourishing during the week because you’ve added on some freshly cut wedges,” he says.
For more tasty potato recipe inspiration, visit potato.ie and bordbia.ie/potatoes.
Brought to you by Bord Bia
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
