Potatoes

It is a tuber belonging to the Solanaceae family, the Spanish imported it into Europe during the conquest of Peru, around 1580.

At first it was considered only a botanical curiosity then, later, from Spain it spread to Italy, Germany and with great difficulty to France.

Having become the main food of agricultural populations in northern Europe, the potato plant can be considered the most important cause of emigration to America.

Belgium holds the European record for consumption with more than 200 kg per capita per year, but in all the northern nations the use of potatoes is very high, just as its cultivation is intensive. In Italy the region with the greatest cultivation is Campania.

The potato is a tuber that contains 18% glycides in the form of starch.

A common misconception suggests that it is a fattening food, difficult to digest and causes intestinal meteorisms. On the contrary, it is important to know that 100g of normal potatoes provide around 80 calories, compared to the 260 - 270 calories provided by 100g of white bread. Potatoes contain not only starch, but also interesting quantities of vitamins and minerals. The potassium content is also notable.