Page 16 - Boca Club News - December '24

Page 16, Boca Club News
Get Fresh! Tips from The Produce Maven…

The Irish Potato Famine

Irving Swedko and his wife, For crispy roasted potatoes a general rule of thumb is to can cause the starches to convert to sugar, altering the flavor
Beverly, are members of Broken parboil them until they are fork-tender but not falling apart. and texture of the potato.
Sound Club. He hails from Ottawa, This ensures the exterior becomes perfectly crisp while the Potatoes are not only an essential crop for feeding the
the capital of Canada, where he inside stays soft. Parboiled potatoes will keep for a couple world; they are also relatively sustainable. They require
spent more than 50 years in the of days in your fridge prior to roasting, making them a less water than many other crops and produce a high yield
produce business that included convenient option for preparing in advance. per acre. This makes potatoes an efficient crop for regions
taking a small fruit and vegetable Avoid adding too much oil as potatoes can absorb excess with limited resources and for combating food insecurity.
retail store and expanding it across oil, leading to a soggy texture. Instead, lightly coat the The potato has played a central role in history, from its
the city and into other areas to potatoes, ensuring they are dry before roasting. tragic involvement in the Irish Potato Famine to its modern-
include wholesale, food service and importing, bringing When choosing potatoes look for ones that are firm day status as a global food staple. Its versatility, nutritional
trucks of fresh produce from across the U.S. directly into and free from blemishes, sprouts or wrinkled skin. Avoid value and ability to grow in a variety of climates make it an
Ottawa. His experience made him an expert on all things potatoes with green patches, which indicate the presence of essential part of diets worldwide. Whether mashed, fried or
produce-related, from how to select the perfect melon to solanine, a bitter-tasting compound. Store potatoes in a cool, baked, the potato remains a resilient and beloved food for
the best way to store fruits and veggies. After retiring, dark place—never in the refrigerator—as cold temperatures millions.
Irving and his wife Beverly became snowbirds and have
the proud father of three daughters and looks forward to Second Helpings: A Favorite Recipe from
been enjoying life at Broken Sound for 20 seasons. He is

family time with his seven grandchildren.
The Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852) stands as one of the Past Pages of Boca Club News…
the darkest chapters in European history, highlighting the
critical role the potato played in sustaining millions of lives
and the devastation that occurred when that lifeline was Grilled Mushroom and Potato Salad
cut off. Over one million died; two million immigrated.
decimated potato crops and left a population that had been with Mustard Dressing
The blight, caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus,

reliant on the tuber without its primary food source.
For the Irish people the potato was more than a staple; it You’ve served potato salad many times
was a necessity. The majority of Ireland’s land was owned before to family and guests, but never
by English landlords who rented small plots to Irish tenant a dish like this! Shitake and Portobello
farmers at high prices. Much of the land was used to grow Mushrooms make all the difference.
wheat and corn, which was then sold to pay rent, leaving Serves 8
only a small portion for the farmers themselves to grow Ingredients:
food. The rocky, less fertile plots that were left were ideal • 8 Large Red Potatoes;
for potatoes, which thrived even in poor soil conditions. • 4 Large Shiitake Mushrooms;
A typical adult male in Ireland could consume up to • 2 Large Portobello Mushrooms, stem
14 pounds of potatoes daily. One acre of potato crops removed;
was sufficient to feed a family of four for an entire year. • Extra Virgin Olive Oil;
However, when the blight struck in 1845 it caused the • Kosher salt and pepper to taste;
potatoes to rot in the ground, leading to widespread hunger. • 1 Large red onion, finely sliced;
With the blight lasting for seven years farmers couldn’t • 2 red bell peppers, cut julienne;
produce enough food to sustain their families. Many were • 1 tbsp. finely chopped thyme leaves’
evicted from their homes by landlords when they couldn’t • ¼ cup chopped flat leaf parsley.
pay their rent, forcing them to live in makeshift shelters or Instructions:
without shelter at all. 1. Pre-heat a gas or charcoal grill to high.
The potato is native to the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, 2. Brush the mushrooms with olive oil and
where it was cultivated over 1,800 years ago. When Spanish season with salt and pepper. Grill until
explorers arrived in South America during the 16th Century golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4
they introduced the potato to Europe, and it quickly became minutes on each side. Slice thinly and place in a large bowl. 1-inch cubes and add to the bowl. Add the onion and red
a key crop across the continent. Cover to keep warm. bell peppers.
In modern times the potato remains a dietary staple. 3. In a large pot of boiling salted water over high heat, 4. Pour the mustard vinaigrette over the warm potato
The average American consumes 124 pounds of potatoes boil the potatoes until cooked but still firm to the touch, mixture and mix gently to combine. Add the thyme and
annually. Potatoes are beloved for their versatility and are approximately 15 minutes. Cut the cooked potatoes into parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
used in many different forms; 35% of potatoes are turned
into French fries, 28% are sold fresh and 13% go into
making potato chips. The potato’s adaptability makes it an
essential part of meals in cultures all over the world. NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
There are over 200 varieties of potatoes available in
the United States alone, each falling into one of seven
categories: russet, red, white, yellow, blue/purple, fingerling
and petite. One of the most popular varieties, Yukon Gold, Boca Raton Concierge Medicine Doctor
was developed in Ontario, Canada, at the University of
Guelph in the 1960s. These yellow potatoes have a buttery
flavor and are lower in starch, making them ideal for many Board Certified in
different culinary applications. Internal Medicine
Although potatoes often get a bad reputation they are
packed with nutrients. A medium-sized potato contains with Added Qualifications in
about 110 calories and is a good source of carbohydrates,
fiber, protein and such key vitamins and minerals as vitamin Geriatrics (2002).
C, B6, potassium, magnesium and iron. Potatoes also have a
low glycemic index, meaning they provide a steady release Steven E. Reznick, MD, FACP
of energy without causing rapid blood sugar spikes.
Contrary to popular belief carbohydrates in potatoes, Voted a “Best Doctor”
particularly starch, are a healthy part of a balanced diet. by his peers.
Starch, a complex carbohydrate, is digested slowly, ensuring
a steady source of energy throughout the day. Potatoes also
contain resistant starch, which acts as a prebiotic, promoting Call to request a complimentary meeting
healthy digestion by feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
Potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients, with Dr. Reznick.
capable of being prepared in countless ways. Whether they
are fried, boiled, mashed or roasted, potatoes can fit into
virtually any meal. However, cooking potatoes to perfection 561.368.0191
requires some technique.
For example, soaking potatoes in cold water before
cooking helps remove excess starch, which can cause them 7280 W. Palmetto Park Road | 205N
to become sticky or gummy. Adding a little lemon juice Boca Raton, FL 33433
or vinegar to the water also helps prevent oxidation when www.bocaconciergedoc.com
preparing potatoes ahead of time.