Pomme De Terre

March 26, 2012

"We are going to Lake Pomme de Terre for a getaway weekend." That does sound much more exciting, idyllic, and spa-like, than, "We are going to Lake Potato for the weekend." Pomme de terre is French for potato—literally, apple of the ground.

The lowly potato does have its own National Month (September), and deservedly so. It has been a staple and a savior for many impoverished families. The massive Irish immigration of the past to the USA was spurred on by the Potato Famine.

There are Idaho, Russets, red potatoes, new potatoes, sweet potatoes, Klondike Rose, and my personal favorites, Yukon Gold which, when merely boiled plain, taste like they have been slathered in butter.

They can be boiled, whipped, mashed, French fried, cottage fried, roasted, scalloped, au gratin, baked, twice baked, and stuffed. Several kinds of salads can be made cold or hot, as in German potato salad. Pipe whipped potatoes on top of a ground meat casserole, preferably lamb, and you have Shepherd’s pie. Sweet potatoes are exceptionally nutritious and can be used as a side dish or even as dessert in sweet potato pie. My preference is baked plain, and my least favorite is the traditional sticky Thanksgiving dish with marshmallows and brown sugar.

I know that is very un-American of me, sorry.

Some consider potatoes to be fattening, but it is not the potato’s fault—it’s all the toppings we add. Who can resist a baked potato with butter, sour cream, chives, and maybe some bacon bits? Let’s not forget hash browns and potato pancakes.

They can be stored for a long time in a nice dry environment. Never store them in the plastic bags from the store as this will hasten their deterioration, as will storing them with onions. They can be grown in many different climates and soils. They even sport pretty flowers for a time. So, hail to the potato and long may you flourish to sustain us.

At MCPL one can find a plethora of cookbooks to try new recipes.

By the way, does anyone out there know who named Lake Pomme de Terre? Do we have an app for that?

Mary B.
Claycomo Branch