Mashed Purple Potatoes

Mashed purple potatoes are delicious, creamy but are visually appealing as well. They are super easy to make and have several health benefits. You can make it either savory or sweet. Either way, they are tasteful and a perfect way to brighten up your dining table.

Do you know why I love vegetables? That’s not just because they are delicious, versatile, and healthy. That’s because they are full of surprises. Nature has so much in store for us! Honestly, I don’t think you can ever comprehend the types of vegetables, that are naturally available for us all over the world.

It is amazing. For instance, let us just take potatoes. We all love potatoes. They are the most versatile vegetable ever. But do you know there are about 200 different types of potatoes in the world? or even more! Check out Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Mashed White Sweet Potatoes, and Instant Pot Vegan Mashed Potatoes.

Now you are well aware of the yellow and white potatoes. These are the most common types and are readily available at any grocery store. We all know sweet potatoes as well. These are orange potatoes and are widely used and loved as well. Some of you are also aware of the red potatoes.

I have talked about it previously as well. But I bet only a few will know about this type of potato that I am going to talk about today. These are the “purple potatoes.” They have a beautiful purple color that is mesmerizing, really! Interested much? Read ahead to know all about this unique potato type!

What are purple potatoes?

Purple potatoes are called so because of the beautiful and vibrant purple color they have. Mind it, and purple potatoes are naturally occurring kind. Their color has nothing to do with science or technology. They get the purple color because of a special chemical pigment known as anthocyanin. This pigment or chemical is quite important in giving the purple potatoes,  not just the color but health benefits as well.

Did you know that purple potatoes are around for centuries? In fact, in the ancient South American lands, these were called the food of the gods. Well, the real origin of these potatoes is debatable. Some say they come from Bolivian lands, while others say they were cultivated in Peru. Well, whatever the past be, we are just happy to have these here!

There are several types of purple potatoes. A variety of purple potatoes is also found to be sweet in flavor and resemble sweet potatoes a lot. Their shape can vary from oval to elongated. The color of the skin can also vary from whitish to purple-brown. However, the interior is always purple.

What do purple potatoes taste like?

Well, that depends on which purple potato you are talking about. The regular purple potato is a bit low in starch and can be flaky and dry. However, its flavor resembles russet potato a lot. As for the purple sweet potatoes are concerned, they are high in starch and are sweeter than orange sweet potatoes.

Are purple potatoes sweet or savory?

They are BOTH! Because you can find purple potatoes and purple sweet potatoes, you can enjoy both flavors. And this fact also makes them super versatile. Because of this versatility, we have shared both sweet and savory mashed purple potatoes recipes with you.

Health benefits of purple potatoes

Purple potatoes are not just amazing in appearance but also have some amazing health benefits. They are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Here are a few amazing benefits of these potatoes:

·       We all know that purple potatoes get their color from a chemical called anthocyanin. This is the same chemical that makes when rich in antioxidants. Apart from this, they are also rich in other antioxidants like Selenium, carotenoid compounds, tyrosine, and polyphenolic compounds. Antioxidants are very important for our body and fight against deadly diseases like cancer, heart diseases, etc.

·       They are also rich in minerals like iron, potassium, manganese, and magnesium.

·       Because it is high in potassium, eating purple potatoes is good for blood pressure. As a result, it protects the heart against diseases like high blood pressure, which can lead to serious consequences.

·       Purple potatoes are also high in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is crucial for digestive health. It not just regulated bowel movements but also prevents constipation maintains healthy cholesterol levels in the blood and stabilizes the sugar level in the blood.

Because of these many benefits, purple potatoes are often said to be a better option than white or yellow potatoes.

How to cook Mashed Purple Potatoes?

You can cook mashed purple potatoes two ways, i.e., the savory and sweet. Making both these dishes is super easy. In fact, the process is almost the same. The only thing that is different is the choice of ingredients. You can also use the regular purple potato variety or the purple sweet potato variety.

Here is how you can make the two varieties of mashed potatoes:

Step 1: Start by washing and scrubbing the purple potatoes to get rid of dirt and debris. Next, you have to peel them once the skin is gone, cut with into pieces.

Step 2: Place the diced potato pieces in the saucepan, and pour water. Place the saucepan on medium heat and let the potatoes boil for 15 minutes or until they are tender.

Step 3: Once they are cooked, remove the saucepan from heat and drain them. Place the pieces in a bowl.

For savory mashed purple potatoes:

Step 4: Add vegan butter, salt, and non-dairy milk.

For sweet mashed purple potatoes:

Step 4: Add vegan butter, coconut milk, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt.

Step 6: Using a fork or a potato masher, mash the potatoes until all the ingredients are mixed well.

Step 7: Serve.

Tips and tricks for perfect Mashed Purple Potatoes

Although making mashed purple potatoes is pretty straightforward and easy, here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

·       Because purple potatoes come from the ground, be prepared for a lot of scrubbing. You need to get rid of the dirt; otherwise, it won’t be a pleasant eating experience.

·       Make sure you cut the potatoes into equal pieces so that they cook evenly.

·       You can use any non-dairy milk for this recipe. However, I find coconut milk to give the best results. That’s because of its creamy texture.

·       Make sure the non-dairy milk is unsweetened for savory mashed potatoes.

·       You can use organic coconut sugar instead of maple syrup for the sweet mashed potato recipe.

·       Don’t overcook or overmix these potatoes; otherwise, they will turn gummy.

Other Potato Recipes

1. Vegan Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding
2. Roasted White Sweet Potatoes
3. Maple Roasted Brussel’s Sprouts And Sweet Potatoes
4. Vegan Potato Salad
5. Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
6. Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potato
7. Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

How to store Mashed Purple Potatoes?

You can store leftover mashed potatoes by placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze mashed purple potatoes. Place the portions in zip lock bags and place them in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw them, reheat them if you like, and enjoy. Although you can freeze them, I prefer you make a fresh batch every time. That’s when you will get the maximum benefits from the ingredient.

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