Potatoes are starchy vegetables that grow underground, and they are called “tubers,” which means they are like little energy storage packs for the plant! Potatoes come in many different colors, including brown, red, yellow, and even purple. They originally came from South America, where people in the mountains of Peru started growing them over seven thousand years ago. Today, potatoes are grown all over the world, and they are one of the most important foods on the planet. There are over four thousand different kinds of potatoes, which is more varieties than almost any other vegetable!
Potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables because you can cook them in so many different ways. You can make mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, French fries, hash browns, potato chips, and even potato soup! The potato plant grows pretty white or purple flowers above the ground, but the part we eat grows hidden in the dirt below. Potatoes are full of energy and have important vitamins like vitamin C and potassium that help your body stay healthy. Did you know that potatoes are made up of about eighty percent water? Even though they feel solid, there is a lot of water hiding inside every single one!
