Now for something completely different – The Purple Potato Project

My first early purple potatoes are ready!

I wasn’t going to grow potatoes this year, as we really don’t eat very many, but when I saw the Purple Potato Project, I couldn’t resist!

As I’ve said before, I am drawn to something a bit different, and I already grow so many other purple veg. They don’t actually taste any different, but they are better for you, with antioxidants in.

The particular antioxidant they have is anthocyanin – known for its positive health benefits. It is purported to reduce inflammation and protect you from conditions like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

Anthocyanin is also found in red cabbage and the purple Brussels sprouts I’m growing this year. It’s also found in lots of different fruits, for example blueberries, of which we are heading for a bumper crop.

The Purple Potato Project, is a way of trailing new potato varieties and I’m glad I decided to have a go.

Getting Started

My order placed with Patch Seed Potatoes, arrived promptly and packed well.

I placed them in an old egg box and put them in my favoured place to chit – our bedroom window sill.

Chitting involves placing the seed potatoes in a cool, frost free, bright place. The chits that form are the beginnings of the potato plants and give them a head start, before they go into the soil.

Planting Up

Once the chits have formed and the danger of frost has past, it’s time to plant them. I usually cover them with compost, then as the shoots break through the soil, I put more compost on, layering until I reach the top. Last year I had some advise from a few gardeners describing how they just fill the compost to the top immediately. That’s what I’ve done this year.

The plants have looked so strong and healthy from the beginning, growing so well.

The attractive purple stems are upright, with no flopping over.

Harvest Time

Earlier this week I had a little root around in the bag. Hey presto, potatoes!

Even though you’re pretty sure they’re going to be there, it’s still a thrill when your hand touches the first one.

I just pulled the one plant up, as we only needed enough potatoes for one meal. The others will keep happily in the compost, as long as no sun light gets to them.

Even the roots were a lovely shade of pale purple.

Prepping

I sat in the garden and peeled the potatoes. The skins were so fine that they just rubbed off easily. So far so good.

They were a beautiful colour once peeled.

I took them in; washed them; then cut the larger ones in half. At this point  I have to confess, that I was rather disappointed. 

The flesh inside wasn’t the same dark purple that I’d been expecting, but they did have lovely swirling patterns.

Cooking

Once the water in the pan started to heat up, you could see the colour coming out. I cooked them for fifteen minutes, until soft.

Eating

The potatoes ended up a very pale shade of bluey-purple, still rather unusual for potatoes, but ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating!’ 

I am happy to report, that they tasted nicer than any other new potatoes that I’ve grown, including the old variety that my granddad used to grow. They had that proper new potato smell and flavour so a raving success. Bon appetite!

Stay Safe & happy gardening.