Potatoes
<p>The <b >potato</b> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starch" title="Starch" >starchy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuber" title="Tuber" >tuberous</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_(agriculture)" title="Crop (agriculture)" class="mw-redirect" >crop</a> from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant" title="Perennial plant" >perennial</a> <i ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum" title="Solanum" >Solanum</a> tuberosum</i> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanaceae" title="Solanaceae" >Solanaceae</a> family (also known as the nightshades). The word may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes" title="Andes" >Andes</a>, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species. Potatoes were introduced outside the Andes region four centuries ago, and have become an integral part of much of the world's cuisine. It is the world's fourth-largest food crop, following rice, wheat and maize.<sup id="cite_ref-fao_0-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato#cite_note-fao-0" >[1]</a></sup> Long-term storage of potatoes requires specialised care in cold warehouses.<sup id="cite_ref-crosstree_1-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato#cite_note-crosstree-1" >[2]</a></sup>
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Potatoes are prepared in many ways: skin-on or peeled, whole or cut up, with seasonings or without. The only requirement involves cooking to swell the starch granules. Most potato dishes are served hot, but some are first cooked, then served cold, notably <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_salad" title="Potato salad" >potato salad</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_chip" title="Potato chip" >potato chips/crisps</a>.</p>
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Common dishes are: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashed_potato" title="Mashed potato" >mashed potatoes</a>, which are first boiled (usually peeled), and then mashed with milk or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt" title="Yogurt" >yogurt</a>and butter; whole <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baked_potato" title="Baked potato" >baked potatoes</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling" title="Boiling" >boiled</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steaming" title="Steaming" >steamed</a> potatoes; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_fries" title="French fries" >French-fried potatoes or chips</a>; cut into cubes and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roasting" title="Roasting" >roasted</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalloped_potatoes" title="Scalloped potatoes" class="mw-redirect" >scalloped</a>, diced, or sliced and fried (home fries); grated into small thin strips and fried (hash browns); grated and formed into dumplings, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%B6sti" title="Rösti" >Rösti</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_pancake" title="Potato pancake" >potato pancakes</a>. Unlike many foods, potatoes can also be easily cooked in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven" title="Microwave oven" >microwave oven</a> and still retain nearly all of their nutritional value, provided they are covered in ventilated<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_wrap" title="Plastic wrap" >plastic wrap</a> to prevent moisture from escaping; this method produces a meal very similar to a steamed potato, while retaining the appearance of a conventionally baked potato. Potato chunks also commonly appear as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stew" title="Stew" >stew</a> ingredient.</p>
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Potatoes are boiled between 10 and 25<sup id="cite_ref-115" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato#cite_note-115" >[116]</a></sup> minutes, depending on size and type, to become soft.</p>
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