I don’t know about you but more people love potatoes a whole lot don’t they? You can bet everyone is ready for National Tater Day on March 31st aren’t they? we can bake ’em, boil ’em, fry ’em, mash ’em … and Potatoes will always taste heavenly. Won’t they?
The versatility Potatoes lend means Potatoes are great for both salty and sweet cuisines, either elevating the taste of a dish or complimenting the accompanying flavors. The Potato which is a tubular Vegetable also holds the credit of solving food shortages, both in the old ages and the new.
But at the same time, the Potato has had its fair share of bad rep too. During a particularly bad food shortage, people in Germany refused to eat Potatoes, which their King had made available in abundance. Germans at that time deemed the Potato a ‘lowly’ food not deserving of their gastronomic cravings.
The much-adored tater evolved from the Nightingale Plant almost 350 million years ago. But its earliest recorded instance in history is much later than that. Potatoes were first cultivated as food in the Peruvian Andes.
Since potatoes grew best in higher altitude conditions, the crops were mostly planted atop a Mountain Valley, near Lake Titicaca. As centuries passed by, Potatoes grew in popularity and trade due to their low-maintenance features and high nutritional values.
It was due to the tubular Vegetable’s low-maintenance quality that they were being planted in larger and larger acres of land. This meant more food for people in the long run, and this is also the reason why potatoes were used by rulers and lords to solve food shortages amongst the masses.
One interesting example is Prussia in the 1700s. The King, Frederick the Great, decreed Potatoes to be given to the masses, especially the poor, as protection against famine. However, many refused the food as they considered Taters to be disgusting. Isn’t that crazy? Potatoes are so good. Aren’t they?
Seeing this, the King came up with a strategy and ordered the Potato Fields to be cordoned off and labeled as ‘food for the Royals.’ But soon after, people ‘stole’ the Potatoes for eating. The King’s plan had worked and the masses were fed.
More recently in Tater history, people have been celebrating National Tater Day since 1843. Traders would come and exchange goods, particularly Potato slips that allowed them to purchase and grow Taters. This is the oldest trade convention ever known and celebrated. While it may have had its fair share of ups and downs, the Tater is loved and enjoyed by many today.
National Tater Day Activities
- Did you know National Tater Day originally celebrated Sweet Potatoes, and it was this specific variety that the 1843 trading convention focused on. However, over the years, the word ‘Tater,’ first only used for Sweet Potatoes, has expanded to include and celebrate all types of Spuds. But going back to the roots, Sweet Potatoes should be given their due attention and fanfare because it is thanks to them that we can celebrate all types of Taters today.
- When we say that there are a ton of scrumptious Potato recipes out there, we mean it. This versatile Vegetable has a special place in many cultures of the world, so you will never get bored with trying new things every single time. Remember you can grill Potatoes, Caramelize Potatoes, add Potatoes to Soup.
- If you have extra Taters in your life and you ant some extra love in your life? Gift the Potatoes to your family or friends or those in need. Never waste food because this is one lesson that Taters have taught through history.
Facts About Tater Tots
- Tater Tots are made from leftover scraps from French Fries, and in order to not waste these, Tater Tots were invented. I didn’t know Tater Tots was made out of French Fries but now, I know why I love tater Tots. How about you?
- Did you know it is estimated that Americans consume more than 70 million pounds of Tater Tots every year.
- When Tater Tots were invented, a naming contest was held, and Clora Orton’s suggestion won.
- Did you know Tater Tots go through a rigorous 12 step process through industrial equipment, and this is why homemade Tater Tots often do not taste as good as the store-bought ones.
- Tater Tots are also referred to as ‘Potato Royals,’ ‘Potato Gems,’ and ‘Spud Puppies.’
Why People Love National Tater Day
- If you are an avid Social Media user/follower, you will know how much Potatoes are loved and celebrated on the internet. From memes to songs to just pure love, potatoes have received it all like no other food item has.
- There are certain food items that are exclusive to just one culture or a few. These food items are part of a given culture’s identity. But in the case of our beloved Tater, these are found in many Cultures making them as staple as Salt or Water.
- There’s much history attached to Taters and their importance in relation to Nations. Food shortages were solved by planting Taters, but food was also destroyed when disease spread through Tater Crops. Yet, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that was the case here too.
Potato Skins
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 35 mins Additional Time: 10 mins Total Time: 2 hrs Serves 6 Yields 12 Potato Skins
Ingredients
Original recipe yields 6 servings
- 6 small russet potatoes, scrubbed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
- 1 tablespoon canola oil, or as needed
- salt to taste
- 6 slices center-cut bacon
- ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, or to taste
- ¼ cup sour cream, or to taste
- 2 medium green onions, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)
2. Rub potatoes with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
4. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4 inch on the skin. Brush canola oil all over potato skins, outside and inside, then sprinkle with salt. Reserve flesh for another use.
5. Bake skins in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip and continue baking for 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and turn on the oven’s broiler.
6. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate; crumble.
7. Arrange potato skins flesh-side up on a roasting pan or rack; season flesh with black pepper. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Cook under the preheated broiler until cheese is bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven.
8. Add a dollop of sour cream to each skin and sprinkle with green onions to serve.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
