Cocktail Peruanita Potatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are small, averaging 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter, and have a slightly irregular round, oval, oblong shape. The tubers often display a lumpy appearance due to deep-set eyes that create indentations across the surface. The skin is thin, smooth, taut, and lightly textured, showcasing bi-colored hues of dull maroon and golden brown. The primary coloring is red, and the yellow-brown hues are considered secondary. It is worth noting that the red hues are only skin-deep, and the flesh remains a solid golden yellow. The flesh is firm, dense, and sandy when raw, and once cooked, it softens to a creamy and tender consistency. Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are edible cooked and have a concentrated, subtly sweet, earthy, and buttery flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are available year-round, with peak production in the dry season, spanning from April to October.
Current Facts
Cocktail Peruanita potatoes, botanically classified as Solanum tuberosum, are tubers native to Peru, belonging to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The term cocktail refers to very small potatoes, and it is important to note that cocktail potatoes are not a separate variety. Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are petite tubers selected from the Peruanita variety, favored for being easier to prepare than their larger counterparts. The entire tuber can be cooked quickly and served whole, sliced, mashed, or smashed and fried. Peruanita, in general, is a broad category of several native Andean potatoes, including varieties Suytu Peruanita, Peruanita Wayru, and Yuraq Peruanita. The name Peruanita translates from Spanish to mean “Peruvian,” and the tubers are also known as Banderita, Limeña, and Peruanita Limeña. Cocktail Peruanita potatoes can be derived from any Peruanita variety, and only small tubers are selected to be sold under the cocktail descriptor. In Peruvian commercial markets, Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are marketed as a specialty cultivar for everyday culinary preparations. The bi-colored tubers are valued for their unique coloring, smooth texture, and slightly sweet, rich flavor.
Nutritional Value
Cocktail Peruanita potatoes have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Potatoes, in general, are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, and potassium to balance fluid levels within the body. Potatoes also provide magnesium to control nerve functions, folate to help break down certain amino acids, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, phosphorus to build bones and teeth, and other nutrients, including low amounts of calcium, vitamin K, manganese, and zinc.
Applications
Cocktail Peruanita potatoes have a subtly sweet and mild flavor suited for cooked preparations. Petite potatoes are favored for their fast-cooking time, and the entire tuber can be cooked with the skin intact. Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are a common type sold in Peruvian commercial markets and are versatile, primarily purchased for boiled preparations. The potatoes are popularly boiled whole and then sliced in half. Once sliced, the tubers are tossed in sauces and mixtures of herbs, spices, and melted butter. Boiled Cocktail Peruanita potatoes can also be smashed and fried to create crisp, bite-sized pieces, or boiled tubers are used as the central ingredient in potato salads. In Peru, Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are used in meat and potato dishes such as salichpapas and are often simmered in soups, stews, and chowders. They are also served with cheese, mashed as a creamy dish, or pureed into a smooth mixture for creams and sauces. Cocktail Peruanita potatoes pair well with aromatics such as chile peppers, onions, and garlic, meats such as pork, poultry, and beef, corn, tomatoes, and legumes. Whole, unwashed Cocktail Peruanita potatoes have a shorter shelf life and will keep for a few weeks to months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Peruanita potatoes, including Cocktail Peruanita, are also known as Banderita, translating from Spanish to mean “little flag.” The tubers earned their flag moniker from their bi-colored nature. In local Peruvian markets, it is widely accepted that Peruanita potatoes are said to resemble the Peruvian flag. The tubers reflect the flag’s white and red coloring, red symbolizing the blood of patriots and white embodying purity. Legend has it that the first version of the Peruvian flag was derived from a vision of General San Martín during the liberation campaign in 1820. It is said the general awoke from a nap in the desert of Paracas and saw a flock of flamingos flying with red wings and white breasts. He chose both colors for the flag. Over time, the colors were kept for the flag, but the design was changed, eventually transitioning to the three vertical stripes seen on the flag in the modern day.
Geography/History
Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are small tubers of the Peruanita variety, native to regions of the Andes mountains, one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. Much of the history of Peruanita potatoes is unknown, but it is believed that they are a part of the traditional cultivars bred throughout the potato’s center of origin. In Peru, potatoes are thought to have been first domesticated over 10,000 years ago in the Andes mountains, and the oldest archeological findings were sourced from areas around Lake Titicaca. Ancient potato varieties were initially bitter and indigenous communities would often eat them with a mixture of clay and water to help reduce toxins found in the wild tubers. Over time, potatoes were selectively bred for improved flavor, texture, and cultivation characteristics, eventually becoming one of the most essential crops within the Andes. Each region of the Andes also grew different types, as altitude and climate significantly affected the size, shape, flavor, and coloring of each tuber, leading to the vast diversity of potatoes throughout the Andes Mountains. Today, Cocktail Peruanita potatoes are a specialty commercial item sold throughout Peruvian markets and are small tubers of Peruanita potatoes packaged together for faster cooking times. The Cocktail Peruanita potatoes featured in the photograph above were sourced through markets in the districts of Surquillo and Miraflores in Lima, Peru.
