A journey into the flavors and traditions of Peru’s favorite food

June 22, 2022 1:28 PM

Approximately 8,000 years ago, the first wild potatoes were harvested from the high-altitude soils surrounding Lake Titicaca at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Since then, more than 4,000 varieties of native potatoes—known in Peru as papas nativas—have been cultivated in the Andean highlands. On a month-long journey through Peru, we encounter the diverse flavors, cultural significance, agricultural challenges, history, and daily uses of papas nativas.
posted by umber vowel (18 comments total)

Three posts about potatoes yesterday, another today?

Is it secretly Potato Week on MetaFilter?

Because if it is, I'm totally here for it.
posted by box at 2:32 PM on June 22, 2022 [7 favorites]

More than once I've wished for a way to sample the range of Peruvian potatoes that are never available in the US.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:13 PM on June 22, 2022 [4 favorites]

Big time potato trolled
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:42 PM on June 22, 2022

Man, what is even going on with PotatoFilter these days?




Personally, I like 'em smothered, covered, chunked, diced, and peppered all the way
posted by SystematicAbuse at 4:06 PM on June 22, 2022

it potato world you just live in it
posted by lalochezia at 4:43 PM on June 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

I, for one, welcome our ancient potato overlords.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 4:57 PM on June 22, 2022 [3 favorites]

The best bit of the Frietmuseum in Brugge is the mobile made of all sorts of original Peruvian potatoes.
posted by pompomtom at 5:54 PM on June 22, 2022

it potato world you just live in it

Always has been.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:33 PM on June 22, 2022 [2 favorites]

Did you mention Lake Titicaca?
posted by hippybear at 7:52 PM on June 22, 2022

Why are these theme weeks so secret?
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:37 AM on June 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

tiny frying pan, I think this particular theme just emerged ad hoc as people built on each other's whimsy. I know that I personally didn't hear of any plan for a potato theme!
posted by brainwane at 7:30 AM on June 23, 2022 [2 favorites]

In Metafilter, you don't plan potato theme; potato them plans you!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:24 AM on June 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

or theme, as the case may be...
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:33 AM on June 23, 2022

(A post about Dan Quayle, that starts with him being one of the dumbest people in Congress, stops along the way at 'You're no Jack Kennedy,' Murphy Brown, and the POTATOE incident, and ends with him telling Mike Pence he can't overturn an election?

It could be pretty great.)
posted by box at 8:55 AM on June 23, 2022

I feared this article was going to be about cavy.
posted by DigDoug at 9:59 AM on June 23, 2022

When this happens I feel like I missed something. Maybe that's the game of it.
posted by tiny frying pan at 10:07 AM on June 23, 2022

I don't think there was anything really planned--yesterday I made a jokey comment about it secretly being Potato Week, and then today I (and some other folks, with no coordination that I'm aware of) decided to make a potato-related post.

There's still plenty of time left in the week if you'd like to get on it :)
posted by box at 11:23 AM on June 23, 2022

Don't be left holding the hot potato!
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:59 AM on June 23, 2022 [1 favorite]