Celebrate National Potato Day with Recipes by Catherine Fulvio

Bord Bia, in conjunction with the Irish Potato Federation and the IFA, is delighted to announce that National Potato Day 2013 will take place on Friday, 23rd August. National Potato Day gives this trusted household staple a moment of glory that will focus on the potato as a key ingredient in the Irish diet and promote consumption. National Potato Day activity will provide the opportunity to extol the virtues of the potato in terms of its goodness, convenience and how it fits in a modern food culture which will be supported by potato themed celebratory events which will be organized locally by the potato industry (see potato.ie for more detail).

Whether it’s boiled, baked, mashed or roasted – the unassuming spud is quietly appreciated the world over. In fact, Ireland loves fresh potatoes so much so that the 97% of Irish households who currently buy potatoes consumed 175,000 tonnes of them last year, while the farm gate value of the potato sector in Ireland was estimated at €122 million for the 2012/2013 season.

Celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio has developed a number of exciting, new potato recipes to encourage all of us get cooking! According to Catherine Fulvio, “Potatoes are an exciting, flavoursome, nutritious and easy to use vegetable that we have injected some fresh flavours, international spice and interest in with these recipes for you to enjoy”. Visit www.potato.ie for these great new recipe ideas, videos, competitions and further details including a list of National Potato Day activities.

Did You Know

• Some people have concerns in relation to consuming potatoes when it comes to weight management. They often incorrectly identify potatoes as having a higher fat content compared with pasta and rice, when in fact potatoes are virtually fat free.
• A baked potato in its skin contains more fibre than two slices of wholemeal bread! If you want all the nutritional benefits, be sure to eat the potato's flavourful skin as well as its creamy centre.
• Carbohydrate is the main fuel for your body and brain. Potatoes are an excellent, natural source of carbohydrates, making them perfect for athletes and recreational exercisers alike.
• An average portion of potatoes (175g/6oz) provides nearly half the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C, a vital vitamin for healthy bones, teeth and skin, promoting lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure, and fighting of all sorts of diseases
• Meath, Dublin, Wexford, Louth, Donegal and Cork are the largest potato growing counties in Ireland
• China is now the world’s largest potato-producing country, and nearly a third of the world’s potatoes are harvested in China and India

Source: HortiTrends News Room