Prairie Blush Potatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Prairie Blush potatoes are small to medium in size and are round to slightly oblong in shape. The smooth, golden to light brown skin is blushed with splashes of rosy pink and has a thin, flaky texture. There is also dark brown speckling and a few, shallow eyes covering the surface. The flesh is smooth, moist, and firm with a light golden to pale yellow hue. Prairie Blush potatoes are celebrated for their exceptional buttery, rich flavor, similar to the yukon gold, and are moist, creamy, and dense when cooked.
Seasons/Availability
Prairie Blush potatoes have a limited availability year-round, with peak season in the early summer through fall.
Current Facts
Prairie Blush potatoes, botanically classified as Solanum tuberosum ‘Prairie Blush,’ are a variant of the yukon gold and are becoming well known for their exceptional flavor, texture, and adaptability to organic growing conditions. This relatively new bi-colored, organic variety is currently available exclusively from Wood Prairie Farm in Maine.
Nutritional Value
Prairie Blush potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
Applications
Prairie Blush potatoes are best suited for cooked applications such as boiling, roasting, and frying. They can be cooked with the skin on to showcase their unique rosy coloring. Prairie Blush potatoes can also be sliced into rounds, wedges, or sticks and baked or fried to make fries, hash browns, and chips. Prairie Blush potatoes pair well with hard cheeses, fish, salted butter, bacon, cabbage, garlic, horseradish, lemon, mint, rosemary, onion, peas, truffle, lamb, and chicken. Prairie Blush potatoes store well and will keep up to four weeks when kept in a cool, dry, and dark location.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Prairie Blush potatoes are a relatively new variety but have already received numerous accolades. It was granted the Green Thumb Award as one of the top six plants introduced in 2009 by the Mailorder Gardening Association. Prairie Blush potatoes are also receiving recognition for their excellent storage ability, hardiness, dense texture, and rich flavors and are a favorite among home gardeners.
Geography/History
The Prairie Blush potato was developed by Jim Gerritsen of Wood Prairie Farm in Aroostook County, Maine in the early 2000s. Gerritsen first discovered the potato growing as a chance clonal variant on a hillside field of yukon gold potatoes. After seven years of organic field trials, the Prairie Blush was put on the market for both home and commercial growers. Today, Prairie Blush potatoes can be found in home gardens, farmers markets, and some grocers in the United States.
