Looking to incorporate fingerling potatoes into your next meal? Read on to learn more about unique recipes that you can work with for your next family get-together!
Also, these potatoes provide an outstanding complement to your main entrée. They are sure to be tolerated by many different dietary preferences.
Roast Fingerling Potatoes with Herbs and Garlic
This recipe makes use of fresh herbs and olive oil for a delicious combination of flavors that has a variety of benefits. It is both vegan and suitable for many dietary preferences. This is the perfect side to your main course at your next potluck or family get-togethers!
Ingredients
Preparation
The Origins of Fingerling Potatoes
The fingerling potato takes its name from its unique appearance. As a stubby, finger-shaped potato, this tuber grows naturally into its narrow form.
Additionally, they are harvested fully mature and can include a variety of variants. The variants include the Russian Banana, French Fingerling, Purple Peruvian, and Swedish Peanut Fingerling.
Also, they are often used as a side dish or even in salads given their small profile. That’s why we chose to detail some of the more common side recipes that you would typically incorporate fingerling potatoes into.
Here are a few of the more unique varieties of fingerling potatoes:
Russian Banana
The Russian Banana fingerling potato has a crescent shape and tends to grow to 7 centimeters (a little less than 3 inches). With a nutty flavor, it’s a great addition to any recipe that incorporates fingerling potatoes.
Furthermore, botanic experts have classified the Russian Bana as Solanum tuberosum. It is a member of the nightshade family. This family also includes other nightshade tubers such as eggplants, petunias, and even tobacco.
Accordingly, in the United States, the Russian Banana can claim to be one of the most common and popular fingerling potato varieties.
Moreover, from a nutritional standpoint, the Russian Banana wins praise as a great source of vitamin C and potassium. Two essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy lifestyle.
With all that potassium, it’s no wonder this variety received the name “Banana!”
Also, the history of the Russian Banana is also very interesting. The potato overall has played an important role in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. There, the Russian Banana will often be served with bean soup or with sauerkraut and pork.
Additionally, Lithuanians may also serve the Russian Banana with sour cream and herrings and in a cold beet soup known as saltibarsciai.
Russian sailors brought what we call today the Russian Banana to North America via Russian outposts in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia.
The spread of the Russian Banana continues throughout the country. As more and more restaurants serve up this delicious potato!
French Fingerling
The cylindrical French Fingerling takes its name from its slender appearance and French origins. Like the Russian Banana, the French Fingerling typically comes in just under 3 inches and has a darker, rose-colored skin.
Additionally, the French Fingerling’s flesh carries an earthy flavor that has also been described as buttery. Its color is a combination of ivory-white and pink.
Also, they’re grown all throughout the year with the main harvesting season of early summer.
Like the Russian Banana, the French Fingerling is a great source of potassium and vitamin C. They’re popular throughout both the United States and France. Other common names for the French Fingerling include Roseval (in France, originally) and Nosebag (for reasons you’ll find out shortly).
“Nosebag?” You might be saying. “What does that mean?”
Great question! The nosebag name comes from the legend surrounding the French Fingerling’s travels to the United States. Legend has it that the French Fingerling was brought into the United States in the nosebag of a horse.
Also, it was necessary to smuggle this potato into the United States due to the strict agricultural laws that apply to bringing fruits and vegetables between countries. Laws that still apply to travelers even today.
As you might expect, the name “Nosebag” didn’t carry much credibility with potential customers. The name was promptly changed to the marketable French Fingerling label.
Originally, the French Fingerling was developed in France in the 1950s. It is a cross between the Rosa and Vale potato varieties. The French Fingerling combined the best of both attributes that these potatoes offered. This includes a rose skin and hearty interior flesh.
While these potatoes did not gain commercial success immediately in the United States due to their small size and impractical harvesting machines of the 1950s. They eventually did gain traction as both harvesting technology, and the dietary sophistication of Americans advanced.
Purple Peruvian
For a remarkable potato variety, check out the Purple Peruvian. As you might expect from its name, the Purple Peruvian potato features a purple flesh that looks great on any plate. In fact, it’s so special that chefs have nicknamed the potato as the “Gem of the Andes.”
The Purple Peruvian comes to us from the Andes highlands in South America. With a purple skin and deep purple flesh, the potato can play a role in a variety of dishes and recipes. It also has medium depth and smooth skin that will ensure that it stores well in your pantry.
As for flavor, the Purple Peruvian features a nutty flavor that’s balanced out by a more earthy and starchy base tone. With each of these flavors, the Purple Peruvian can play a versatile role in a variety of meals.
There is an interesting cultural note on the Purple Peruvian. In the country of Peru, a variety of unique purple potatoes are traded between communities or given as gifts.
Many of these varieties have never made it to the United States. So it’s exciting to consider what kinds of Purple Peruvian potatoes are out there that have never yet dazzled diners!
To find the Purple Peruvian near you, you’ll want to make a trip to your local farmer’s market or specialty grocery store. You’re unlikely to find this remarkable potato at your local supermarket given the relative rarity of this terrific tuber.
Swedish Peanut Fingerling
The Swedish Peanut Fingerling – hey, that’s a pretty cute name! It takes its title from its peanut shape and Swedish origins. It features a classic golden skin and dark yellow flesh. When it comes to flavor, you won’t be disappointed with the Swedish Peanut’s peanut-like flavor and waxy flesh
The Swedish Peanut fingerling variety is best used in soups and salads as well as by itself. It is also great as a roasted potato side dish at your next feast. They store well too. In case you decide to buy a whole bunch at your local farmer’s market.
You may have to go searching for this variety as they are less common than the others indicated previously. In fact, you may need to reach out to specific farms that grow this variety to secure your own purchase.
Additional Fingerling Potato Varieties
There are of course, many dozens of other Fingerling Potatoes available on the market today.
Here’s a list of some of the most common fingerling potatoes you’ll find out there on the market today:
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Other varieties are:
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Featured image: CC0 Creative Commons, BlackRiv via https://pixabay.com.
