Unusual Potatoes To Grow In The Home Garden

Potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables, likely because of their versatility. Not only can you prepare potatoes in a myriad of ways, but there are so many unusual potato varieties to try. From russet to fingerling in hues of red, yellow, white and even purple, there’s a unique potato variety out there you will enjoy. Some unusual potatoes might be considered gourmet potato varieties, while still others are de rigueur, but all of them are delicious. Keep reading to learn about unusual potato varieties and which ones you should grow.

Potatoes get rather a bad rap. Much is made about tomatoes, related in the family Solanaceae, but no one makes a big deal about tomatoes despite the fact that they can be fried, sauteed, broiled, boiled, baked, roasted and of course mashed.

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are an annual, cool season crop. There are seven types of potatoes: red, russet, white, yellow, purple/blue, fingerling and petite. Each has that earthy aroma and flavor but some seem almost buttery, while others are extra starchy, nutty or even somewhat sweet.

The cool growing season of the northern United States is perfect for growing potatoes, but with so many varieties even those in the South can enjoy a spud fresh from the garden.

Everyone that’s ever eaten a baked potato knows what a russet potato is. Red potato salad? Roasted Yukon golds? You know them. So what constitutes an unusual potato? Unusual or rare or even gourmet potatoes are those you won’t usually find at your standard grocery store or supermarket. They are often not even heirlooms, but rather more likely to be new incarnations of potato, bred for specific qualities.

Rare potato varieties are more likely to be found at the Farmer’s Market or specialty