It is said that potatoes were not originally a crop in Korea. During times of poverty when Korea struggled to find substitutes for rice to avoid starvation, potatoes served as a food source that alleviated the hunger of many. Potatoes are a familiar plant even outside Korea. Today, I would like to delve into the origins of potatoes, the humorous anecdotes surrounding potatoes in Korea, their benefits, and some Korean dishes that can be made with potatoes.
Origins of Potatoes
Potatoes were originally a root crop that grew in the highlands of South America, particularly in the Andes region. Indigenous people cultivated wild potatoes, and as the Inca Empire expanded, potatoes spread throughout South America. In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors exploring the New World and conquering South America discovered potatoes, which then made their way to Europe. Currently, potatoes are cultivated worldwide and are used as a staple ingredient in traditional dishes of various countries.
Korean people from Gangwon Province and Potatoes
There’s an amusing joke in Korea: “Why do people from Gangwon Province pay their bus fare with potatoes?” While it’s a joke, it’s also a playful way of teasing rural folks from Gangwon Province. (People from Gangwon Province actually pay bus fares using transportation cards.) This joke likely stems from the perception that potatoes are widely cultivated in Gangwon Province. In old Korean films depicting impoverished times, there are many scenes of people eating potatoes. This illustrates how potatoes were considered a great food for the poor. Even now, when Koreans go camping, they often wrap potatoes in aluminum foil, bake them in a wood fire, and enjoy them as a delicacy.
Benefits of Potatoes, Tips on how to save it
Some people consider potatoes as enemies of diets because of their high carbohydrate content. 100g of raw potatoes contain 2g of protein, 2g of fiber, and 17.5g of carbohydrates, with 77kcal of energy. They are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate. Potassium, essential for heart health, is abundant in the skin of potatoes. They also contain a significant amount of antioxidants. Potatoes are beneficial for skincare and can reduce inflammation.
However, it’s important to note that green skins and sprouts contain a toxic substance called solanine and should never be eaten. Storing potatoes in a cool, dark place in a black bag can prevent them from turning green. Storing them with apples can further prolong their freshness.
Making Korean style potato Soup
Potato soup is a simple and delicious dish that Koreans often make at home. Here’s how to make potato soup
- Peel and wash 3 potatoes, then cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can cut them in any shape, but a thickness of about 1cm and dimensions of 3-4cm is ideal. Thicker slices might not cook evenly.
- Soak the cut potatoes in cold water to prevent them from becoming sticky.
- Prepare 1500-2000cc of cold water and start heating it in a pot.
- Add dried anchovies, dried shrimp, or kelp to the cold water and continue heating.
- Remove the kelp after the soup starts boiling and 5 minutes have passed. Overboiling kelp can make the soup taste bitter.
- After about 10 minutes of boiling, remove the dried anchovies and shrimp.
- Now, add the sliced potatoes to the soup and let them cook.
- Add deep soy sauce(“Guk gan jang” in Korean) and Dasida(Korean seasoning). You can add minced garlic for depth of flavor, but it’s optional.
- Taste the soup and adjust the salt with a bit of salt if it’s too bland.
- Add some sliced green onions and let it simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Finally, serve the delicious soup with rice. You can sprinkle some black pepper over the soup if desired. You can mix the eggs and put them at the end