Inhabitots

Sarah Poten, Education and Special Projects Coordinator of Greenmarket (CENYC) has shared 6 vegetarian recipes for Inhabitots readers to try this Thanksgiving. The first one is: Purple Mashed Potatoes. To begin, Sarah poses a question to our kid helpers: “Did you know that potatoes originated in Peru, and the first varieties were purple? These mashed potatoes are delicious, rich in beta-carotene, and you’ll love the amazing lavender color!”

Ingredients
2 lbs. Purple Peruvian, Adirondack Blue or Purple Majesty potatoes*
2/3 cup whole milk*^
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter*^
1 and 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white or black pepper

Serves 4

*Ingredients available at Greenmarket

[^Inhabitots suggests unsweetened soy milk and margarine substitutions to make this meal vegan]

Equipment
Cutting board and knife, vegetable peeler, potato masher, large pot, measuring spoons, wooden spoon, large measuring cup, colander, butter knife, small sauce pan, and a large bowl.

Inhabitots note: Most of the equipment (such as cutting boards, bowls, spoons and spatulas) can be found in bambu’s line of “100% organic bamboo utensils that are hand-shaped and finished, then burnished to a satiny feel that is a delight to the touch” (pictured throughout, $3.75 – $29.95 at GreenFeet).

Directions
1) Peel all the potatoes with the vegetable peeler.
2) Ask a grown-up to help you cut the potatoes into 2 inch cubes. Put the potatoes into the large pot.
3) Put the pot on the stove, and add 5 cups cold water and 1 teaspoon salt. Have a grown-up turn the stove on high and bring to a boil.
4) Once potatoes are boiling, turn the heat down to medium (ask a grown-up) and cook for about 20 minutes until very tender. Have grown-up test them to see if they are done, a fork should go through them easily.
5) Put the colander in the sink and have a grown-up drain the potatoes. Put the potatoes in a large bowl and cover to keep hot.
6) Measure the milk/soymilk and salt and pepper and add them to the small saucepan. Using the butter knife, cut a stick of butter/margarine in half and add one half to the pan. Put the pan on the stove and have a grown-up turn it on medium heat and stir.
7) Once the milk/soymilk is hot and the butter/margarine has melted (3-5 minutes), have a grown-up help you pour it onto the potatoes. Using the potato masher, mash the potatoes with the milk/soymilk and butter/margarine until almost smooth. Stir with the spoon or spatula to finish.

Enjoy!

*potato photo by chez pim