How important is it to peel potatoes?

[Markbnj]

My reasoning was just that dirt, whatever is in it, can't be good for you.

Well you wash the taters first, son. Give em a good scrub.

Anyway, people are too freaked out by dirt and supposedly "unclean" stuff. Your body is actually going to be stronger and healthier, imo, if you are in an environment where it has to fight off some stuff now and then.

 

[CraKaJaX]

True, but when you manufacture product that is sold in CA you have to deal with it.

Shit. LI (was) all potatoes. 🙁

 

[Muse]

Decide-Whether-or-Not-to-Peel-Potatoes

 

[Brainonska511]

Interesting. I never used to buy organic or "pesticide free" potatoes, but the last couple of 5 lb. bags of russets I bought were organic. I've just started reading Silent Spring. I've been suspicious that pesticides have been playing havoc with life forms, buy only organic coffee and apples, because I heard that the pesticides they use on those are particularly bad. Maybe will try to get move intensive now in a pesticide avoidance campaign, at least for myself.

Organic is not "pesticide free" and organic pesticides are not intrinsically safer than synthetic pesticides. Organic does not mean safer and more sustainable just like synthetic does not mean dangerous.

For example, RoundUp, a common synthetic herbicide is quite nontoxic to people.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I eat the skins. Best part of the potato really.

 

[Rakehellion]

I never peel. Fried, baked, mashed. It's a waste of labor and food.

 

[Rakehellion]

My reasoning was just that dirt, whatever is in it, can't be good for you.

Dirt is not unsafe to eat. Vegetables grow in it. And you might be eating a milligram of dirt if you wash properly.

 

[DigDog]

i've been eating skin on potatoes since the 90s.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The least nutritious part of the potato is the white starchy part under the skins.

Not sure why anyone would peel a potato quite frankly. You are removing and discarding the best part.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

but we make up for quality with quantity

seriously, no one here is suffering from nutritional deficiencies outside of some college students living on ramen and mountain dew

otherwise we'd be hearing about the outbreak of scurvy and the rickets epidemic and the huge burden of beriberi

You're are wrong. Many people eat limited diets because they're lazy and gastronomic cowards. Also vitamin C is only one of many. There are many debilitating effects from vitamin deficiency such as tiredness, lack of energy, lack of concentration, sleep disorders, etc. etc.

 

[tynopik]

You're are wrong. Many people eat limited diets because they're lazy and gastronomic cowards.

and yet we aren't being swept with a beriberi epidemic, funny that

Also vitamin C is only one of many. There are many debilitating effects from vitamin deficiency such as tiredness, lack of energy, lack of concentration, sleep disorders, etc. etc.

you sound like a supplement commercial

'this wonder pill will cure gout, psoriasis, impotence, cholera, insomnia and hysteria'

no seriously, find something more specific than 'tiredness'

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

and yet we aren't being swept with a beriberi epidemic, funny that



you sound like a supplement commercial

'this wonder pill will cure gout, psoriasis, impotence, cholera, insomnia and hysteria'

no seriously, find something more specific than 'tiredness'

Try to be a little more aware will you? I'm not recommending supplements, I'm recommending better diets. That fact that there aren't clear disease relationships to many vitamin deficiencies doesn't mean there are no negative impacts. Does someone have to hold a gun to your head to get you to eat better? Oh I forgot the American mantra, convenience uber alles.

 

[tynopik]

That fact that there aren't clear disease relationships to many vitamin deficiencies doesn't mean there are no negative impacts

ok, so you admit that there are no clear issues with vitamin deficiencies in the US

I think we're done here


yes, eating healthy is 'good', but realistically no one here is so nutritionally deprived that eating the skins vs peeling them will make one whit of difference

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

ok, so you admit that there are no clear issues with vitamin deficiencies in the US
That is not what I said. There are no clear links between easily identifiable diseases and SOME vitamin deficiencies.
I think we're done here


yes, eating healthy is 'good', but realistically no one here is so nutritionally deprived that eating the skins vs peeling them will make one whit of difference

Sigh, eating healthy is not a matter of one from column A and two from column B and no one said it was. You inferred greater meaning to eating potato skins not, I. I simply stated that many people do suffer negative effects from vitamin deficiencies without knowing it. I also said that could be fixed by eating a better diet. I'm trying to educate you while, you seem to be focused on 'winning' an internet debate. Congrats! You can pick up your 'rep' over ----------------->

 

[Iron Woode]

and yet we aren't being swept with a beriberi epidemic, funny that



you sound like a supplement commercial

'this wonder pill will cure gout, psoriasis, impotence, cholera, insomnia and hysteria'

no seriously, find something more specific than 'tiredness'

not sure if troll or mentally challenged.

 

[SKORPI0]

How to peel a potate in 5 seconds :awe:

 

[sandorski]

Russet skins in Mashed potatoes is kinda nasty. Not just the texture, but the flavour is less than ideal. Some potatoes, like Yukon Gold, thin skin Reds, or Spring/New/Baby potatoes, are pretty decent in Mashed potatoes with their skin on. Depends on the potato and the way it is being prepared. For Russets, the only 2 ways I can think of that's ok is when they are Baked or are Deepfried as Chips/French Fries.

 

[William Gaatjes]

I peel my potatoes. I use a potato peeler that scrapes really thin.
Something like this. Works very fast.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Potatoes have solanine in them but in very low quantities.
You have to eat a lot of potatoes or unripe ones to consume enough solanine to get sick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I peel my potatoes. I use a potato peeler that scrapes really thin.
Something like this. Works very fast.

I hate those turned 90 degree sorts. The original works best.

 

[twinrider1]

Shower with them. They make a great loofah; simultaneously exfoliating your skin while cleaning dirt from the potatoes.

 

[Belegost]

For mashed potatoes I always bake the potatoes, cut them in half and scoop out the interior for the mash. Then I have a whole pile of potato skins that I add green onions, bacon, and cheddar for loaded potato skins. The skins are good for freezing, so you can make the loaded skins anytime later.

 

[KMFJD]

I hate those turned 90 degree sorts. The original works best.

Always used one like this, and we always peel our potatoes

 

[MongGrel]

Yep. all of this. I always keep the skins on and only peel the parts off that I really have to.

KT

+1

I do peel them for scalloped potatoes, etc, depends what your doing.

I like some skin in my mashed/fried.

 

[Fern]

Shower with them. They make a great loofah; simultaneously exfoliating your skin while cleaning dirt from the potatoes.

LOL

I like the skins. But I often remove them when mashing Russets. Otherwise I feel the need to cut up the skin into small pieces. I don't want a big piece of floppy boiled potato skin in my mashed potatoes.

Fern