The Russet Potatoes Russet Potatoes are the most common type of potatoes. Other popular types of potatoes are the red potatoes and the Yukon gold potatoes. There are more than 200 potato species and they are frequently used to feed animals on farms but they are so tasty and nutritious that eventually became a part of the human diet as well. This vegetable was taken from America to Europe by the Spanish conquerors. Once in Europe the potato became one the favorite vegetables in most households. The tubers originated from South America quickly became one of the most popular crops around the world.   Russet potatoes which are the most popular type of potato have its origin in the United States. The complete name of this potato is the russet Burbank potato. Some people refer to them as Idaho potatoes. That name was given because it was developed by Luther Burbank in Massachusetts, United States. He later sold the rights of the potato. Sometime later a new variety of the potato appeared but with russetted skin then it was finally named russet Burbank potato. The popularity of the potato spread immediately through United States after that. The russet potato is fairly large, oval with a light brown skin and white flesh. Good potatoes must have a couple of shallow eyes, be quite firm and preferably must not have any sprouts. You must refrain from picking potatoes that are wrinkled, soft, have green areas or are sprouting. The russet type has many nutrients that are essential for the human body. They have a high content of carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and 4 grams of fiber. Since the potato has a fair amount of carbohydrates it also has a good amount of natural sugar. One of the most attractive characteristics of this potato is the low amount of sodium, cholesterol and fat it posses. They are also very low in calories (approximately an average of 120 calories per potato) making them an excellent choice for any meal. There are certain things you must know when storing the potatoes. The first thing to keep in mind is to never wash them before storing or they will rot very fast. Second they need to be stored in a dry area with cool temperature away from sunlight to prevent sprouting and green coloring. The green color is produced when the potato is exposed to sunlight which is directly related to the amount of solanine. Solanine is a toxic compound that can be deadly if eaten in big amounts. Never store your potatoes in the refrigerator or the starch will turn into sugar. These type of potatoes are very economical and you can make delicious healthy dishes with them. You can combine them with any meat, cheese, butter or if you prefer the natural approach use broccoli as a topping.

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