Want to diversify your menu? Discover: How to cook purple potatoes (8 methods)

This detailed guide on how to cook purple potatoes covers everything a home cook needs to confidently use purple potatoes. Learn what purple potatoes are exactly, why purple potatoes are purple, the color characteristics of purple potatoes and the best ways to cook them.

Purple potatoes 8 methods:

Baking

Baking purple potatoes is definitely a foolproof way to eat them. The ingredients are simple. The basic materials are only oil, potatoes, seasonings and a hot oven.

In about 25 minutes or less, you can taste the deliciousness with crispy edges and soft insides.

Boiling

Purple potatoes can be boiled like white potatoes and used to make classic purple mashed potatoes or beautiful purple versions such as purple potato bacon salad. Or, cook them directly in your favorite soup. They will increase nutrition and substance and absorb all the deliciousness.

Frying

When you want to cook food quickly, frying is a good way to cook purple potatoes.

My favorite method of frying purple potatoes is the recipe below. The edges of each seasoned tender potato are crispy. I think you will also find it irresistible.

Steaming

To maximize the nutritional level of purple potatoes, try steaming. Compared with other methods such as boiling, less nutrition is lost during steaming.

You can use it to prepare potato salad and mashed potatoes, or you can use it to make purple versions of recipes, such as replacing potatoes with butter and herbs.

Air frying

Now, we all like to use air fryers, and homemade French fries can also be easily made with purple potatoes.

One of my favorite cooking methods with an air fryer is to cut them into small pieces, then add olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasonings and garlic powder and cook at 400°F for about 15 minutes. You can try any seasonings your family likes to change the taste.

It can also be baked whole. Choose a larger potato and bake for 50-60 minutes, and then you can enjoy baked potatoes without opening the oven.

Instant pot

When you are in a hurry, the instant pot is a great way to prepare purple potatoes without hands.

Put the washed whole potatoes and a cup of water into the pressure cooker. Season as needed, then cover and cook for 10-15 minutes. Release the pressure according to the instructions of the machine, and then take out the potatoes.

They can be chopped for salads, mashed, or simply mashed with a large piece of butter and a little salt.

Microwave

Heating purple potatoes in the microwave eliminates the need to preheat the oven. You can poke holes in the purple potatoes with a fork, then put them on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high power for about 7-10 minutes, turning over at 5 minutes.

The power of microwaves varies, so start by heating for 7 minutes first and then extend the time as needed. After completion, season with salt and pepper, add some butter and enjoy.

Baking

You can also bake purple potatoes. Scrub the skin, then pierce it, oil it and season with salt. Put the purple potatoes on a baking sheet, put them in the oven and bake at 400°F for 30-50 minutes (the specific time depends on the size).

After completion, cut it open and fill the inside with butter, cheese, chives, bacon or sour cream, etc. The beautiful and delicious baked purple potatoes are ready.

What are purple potatoes?

Purple potatoes are a kind of ingredient with high nutritional value. It is a variety of potatoes. Different from ordinary potatoes, the skin and flesh of purple potatoes are basically purple.

Purple potatoes are rich in anthocyanins, which are good antioxidants. At the same time, purple potatoes are also rich in starch, vitamin C, potassium and other nutrients, and have very high nutritional value.

In terms of taste, purple potatoes are very similar to ordinary potatoes. They have a dense and glutinous texture. However, purple potatoes may taste a little sweeter. And its color is particularly beautiful. Whether it is used as a staple food or a side dish, it can greatly improve the appearance of dishes.

Why are purple potatoes purple?

Many people are curious why purple potatoes are purple. In fact, the reason why purple potatoes are purple is that purple potatoes contain a large amount of anthocyanins. It is a natural water-soluble pigment.

During the growth process of purple potatoes, these anthocyanins accumulate in the cell vacuoles. Different environmental factors, such as soil pH, light duration and intensity, will also affect the synthesis amount and color of anthocyanins.

This natural purple color not only makes purple potatoes look very attractive, but anthocyanins also give purple potatoes higher antioxidant properties than ordinary potatoes, which is also very good for our bodies.

Can purple potatoes still be eaten after sprouting?

Purple potatoes cannot be eaten after they sprout.

Because after purple potatoes sprout, they will produce a substance called solanine, which is harmful to the human body and may cause human poisoning after consumption.

Under normal circumstances, the solanine content of purple potatoes is very low and will not affect the human body, but after sprouting, the solanine content will increase significantly. After eating, the human body may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. In severe cases, it may cause dehydration, convulsions, and breathing difficulties.

Therefore, for the health of yourself and your family, it is not recommended to eat purple potatoes after they sprout.

How to choose high-quality purple potatoes?

First of all, look at the shape. Oval purple potatoes usually taste better. Especially the spindle-shaped ones are definitely your first choice.

Next, observe the skin. Choose purple potatoes with smooth skin and no black spots or brown spots. Don't buy those that are damaged, sprouted or rotten.

Then, smell. Fresh purple potatoes have a fresh smell. If there is a musty smell or other strange smells, it may be deteriorated.

Furthermore, weigh. Purple potatoes that feel heavy have more moisture and will taste and be more nutritious!

Another tip is to pay attention to whether purple potatoes sprout. Sprouted purple potatoes are poisonous and cannot be purchased.

In addition, price is also a consideration. Edible purple potatoes are usually sweeter than processed ones and are more suitable for direct enjoyment. The price is also relatively high.

Finally, choose the size. Small purple potatoes have a higher sugar content and will taste better!

The last trick is to distinguish real and fake purple potatoes with one move. Utilize the characteristics of anthocyanins in purple potatoes: turn red when encountering acid, turn blue when encountering alkali, and be purple when neutral. Through this method, easily identify whether purple potatoes have been dyed.