Potatoes

In season in SW Michigan

In season

Months from the MSU Extension seasonal availability guide. Weather shifts dates a little each year.

Key nutrients

%DV uses FDA Daily Values for adults and children 4+. Values are USDA lab averages scaled to the serving; your harvest may differ.

Wellness

A medium baked potato with the skin has about 161 calories, 0.54 mg of vitamin B6 (32% DV) and 0.20 mg of copper (23% DV). (USDA) The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says vitamin B6 is needed for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. (NIH ODS) Harvard's Nutrition Source notes that most of a potato's fiber is in the peel, and that potatoes have a high glycemic load, which can raise triglyceride levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes. (Harvard)

Pick, store and use

• Pick

  Choose firm potatoes without bruises or soft spots. Skip ones that are sprouting or have a green tinge. (MSU Extension)

• Store

  Keep them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, ideally 45–50°F; they stay fresh up to a month. Throw out potatoes that turn green or shrivel. (MSU Extension)

• Use

  Scrub with a vegetable brush under cool running water. Pressure canning is the only safe way to can potatoes. (MSU Extension)

Where to get it nearby

No farm in our directory lists potatoes by name yet. Many farm markets carry more than their listing says, so it's worth asking.

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