The HT Brunch Celebrating Simplicity Series: The humble, ubiquitous spud!

Hindustan Times | ByDr Kurush F Dalal

Jul 26, 2020 07:26 AM IST

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The potato is adored by practically everyone in India, but it is severely underestimated

“Batata khaaun khaaun batatyasaarkha zalay,” said a Maharastrian friend’s mother to me, many years ago. It meant that after eating so many potatoes, I now looked like one. That is, fat! I’m sure almost every single local language in India has a phrase that mirrors this one.

Potatoes are also not empty calories, as they are thought to be(Shutterstock)

The famous English adventurer, Sir Walter Raleigh, introduced potatoes to the English in 1598, who in turn brought it to India

In The Martian (2015), Matt Damon is seen growing potatoes on Mars

It’s hard to believe that 300 years ago, there was no vada-pav in Maharashtra, no aloo parathas in North India and no masala dosa in South Indian homes