Have you seen purple potatoes?
At first I thought another GMO product, but they’re not. Purple potatoes are a type of potato popular in South America, with their origins in Peru and Bolivia. These potatoes have many uses and a striking purple color that can brighten up any dish. Besides adding color to your table, these potatoes can be beneficial to your health due to their abundance of antioxidants.
Purple potatoes are very similar to the popular Russet potatoes in nutritional value. One-half cup of purple potatoes contains 70 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of protein and no fat. One-half cup of Russet potatoes contains 66 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of protein and no fat. The one significant difference between purple potatoes and Russet potatoes is the antioxidant content; purple potatoes contain 4 times as much antioxidants as Russet potatoes.
Anthocyanin is a pigment that creates the purple color in the potatoes and also acts as an antioxidant. Anthocyanin is the same phytochemicals found in berries, red and purple grapes and red wine. Studies suggest that higher intakes of anthocyanins may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
All potatoes are naturally high in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. But the extra antioxidants in purple potatoes make them even more effective than other potato varieties.
Purple potatoes have a medium-starchy texture, making them versatile and suitable in most recipes that call for potatoes. Used in potato salads, they can give a pop of color to a typically bland-looking dish. These potatoes will keep their shape when baked but also mash and blend well after boiling for use in mashed potatoes and soups. Purple potatoes have a delicate skin which contains many of the beneficial nutrients. This skin should be kept on when cooking to gain the maximum nutritional benefit.
Go ahead and try in your favorite recipe.
Wishing you Health & Happiness,
