Homegrown Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow for kitchen use. A new potatoes is brimming with flavor that is lost to the store variety.

Potatoes are a New World food associated with Saturn, Pluto, the moon, Virgo, and the element earth. They hold a nurturing grounded energy for stability, good health, and protection.

Potatoes are easy to prepare and are delicious baked, roasted, mashed, and fried.

Here are some of my favorite things to make with potatoes.

Revved up Mashed Potatoes

Root vegetables mash nicely by themselves or in combination with other root vegetables. Try them instead of the usual mashed potatoes.

Parsnips hold male-earth energy for creation, health, and sex magick. Leeks are elegant onions with a mild flavor and a tender texture. They add healing properties and when added to food will protect the physical body from illness. Nutmeg energy draws love, luck, and money while granting clarity of vision.

You will need:

1 1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 Tablespoon of butter

2 small leeks, white part only, chopped

1/4 cup milk,

2 Tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 475. Put parsnips and potatoes in large saucepan, cover with water. Bring to a boil and boil gently, about 12 minutes, or until tender. In another pan, melt butter add leeks and sauté over low heat until leek pieces are nicely browned. Drain parsnips and potatoes and place in a large bowl. Add milk and butter and mash. Stir in leeks and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve hot.

Mashed Potato Cakes

You will need:

1 cup mashed potatoes, cold

1 egg

2 1/2 tablespoons flour or gluten-free flour replacement

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon cooking oil

In a mixing bowl stir together the mashed potatoes, egg, flour, and salt until combined. Pour a Tablespoon of oil into a frying pan and heat. Spoon about a 1/4 cup of the potato mixture into the hot frying pan and flatten into a patty. Cook until browned, and flip. Serve hot.

Potato and Onion Fritta

You will need:

1 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons butter

3 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced with a mandolin

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

6 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. in a cast iron skillet, heat oil and butter. Add the potatoes and onion, stirring to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook at a low simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occationally, until the potatoes are tender. In a bowl,beat together eggs and cream. season with salt and pepper and pour over the potato mixture. Cook frittat on stovetop until egg mixture is partly set then place pan in hot oven and bake until top has browned, 12 to 15 minutes.

Scalloped Potatoes

You will need:

3 pounds potatoes, peeled and slice into thin rounds

6 ounces Gruyere cheese, grate

For sauce

6 Tablespoons butter/ divided

1/2 cup diced onion

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

3 Tablespoons flour

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

A sprig of fresh rosemary, stripped

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. To make sauce: In a pan, melt 3 Tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and butter and cook until tender. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Stir in milk. Simmer, stirring constantly, 1 more minute. Stir in the salt, pepper, and rosemary leaves. Remove from heat.

Fan the potatoes out to cover the bottom of the casserole dish. Pour the sauce over the potatoes. Sprinkle the grated Gruyere over the sauce. Cut remaining butter into small pieces and dot across the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove aluminum foil and bake until potatoes are tender.

Farmhouse Potatoes

You will need:

olive oil

onion

peppers

pinch of rosemary

a generous sprinkle of paprika

4 potatoes, peeled and chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Place a spoon of olive oil in a saute pan and heat. Stir in chopped onion pieces to coat. Cook until clear. Add peppers and a pinch of rosemary and cook until onion pieces begin to brown. Place potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add paprika and stir to coat. stir in onion mixture and dump onto a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until potato pieces are tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve with a side of sour cream or guacamole or both.

These potatoes make a delicious side for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.