Baked

Its versatility and nutrition make it one of the most economical vegetables that can serve the masses in a variety ways.

So, it’s really important to know more about the food we eat especially the popular mighty potato!

Potatoes are annual plants, which means each year they are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall.

Potatoes grow underground on a special stem called a ‘stolon.’

The potato stems above ground have attractive but non-edible flowers.

Since the ‘root’ of the potato plant is not really a root but a stem, potatoes are also considered tubers.

Large potato crops are not planted with seedlings each year. Instead, what is planted into the ground are ‘seed potatoes’ (potatoes that have hardened roots growing from them).

These seed potatoes are cut into the desired size and planted in fields by special machinery.

Farmers prefer to seed potatoes of the same size to maximize the amount of potatoes they can get from a field.

The planting season in Ontario runs largely through the months of April and May.

Many farmers in Ontario use potato planting machines that are guided by high-tech laser sensors to keep the rows straight and seed potatoes planted uniformly.

These sensors help the farmer plant the rows with just the right distance between them, in order to maximize the yield and quality of the potato.

About two to six weeks after planting (depending on the time of year and their location), potato plants will begin to rise from the ground.

A potato field needs to be kept hydrated at all times.

In Ontario, over half of the crop is irrigated, meaning it is watered with large, automated sprinklers rather than just relying on rain fall.

Potatoes can survive drought but do not produce as many potatoes if they do survive.

As the season progresses, growers must ensure that crops are obtaining enough food from the soil.

To determine this, they test samples from growing potato plants and measure the nutrient content.

If nutrient levels are low, they fertilize the crops, adding more food.

The harvesting season begins in July and runs through the fall.

The harvesting machines amazingly dig the potatoes out of the ground, separate them from stems, dirt and rock, all without bruising the crop.

Unlike many other vegetables, potatoes can be stored for up to 11 months in temperature-controlled environments until they are ready for packaging and shipping.

About one-third of the Ontario crop is sent directly to market with the remaining two-thirds put into storage for sale throughout the year.

Potatoes are graded and packaged according to federal standards.

The grades and grade names for potatoes are: Canada No. 1 and Canada No. 2.

All potatoes sold in Ontario must be properly packed to the grade standards and marked accordingly.

The grades for potatoes are based on uniformity of size and shape, minimum and maximum size, color, maturity, freedom from disease, injury and other defects and damage and cleanliness.

Potatoes are generally sold to the consumer in 5-lb and 10-lb bags or sold in bulk quantities.

All packages must meet grade and label specification and provide information about the variety of the potato, the quantity, the name and address of the packer and the country of origin.

Now if you want a really good deal on potatoes, your local No-Frills has Farmer Market Russet Potatoes for $2.99 for 10 lb. bag!

At those prices you’ll be making potatoes for every meal!!!

And if you need a fantastic recipe for a baked potato, here’s one using your favourite ZEG Sauces: Baked Potato with Pulled Pork and ZEG sauce.

So sit back, relax, bake those potatoes and with ZEG Sauces on them it will be your new go to side dish! Enjoy!

Savour the Flavour!

🥔 ZEG sauces are a multiple use condiment sauce that can be used on any food around the world.

🥔 You can use ZEG sauces for basting, marinating, spreading, as a side dipping sauce, or as a dressing the options are unlimited.

🥔 Use ZEG sauces on everything from chicken, pork, and beef to vegetables, rice, and tofu.

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