Retrograding Potatoes

[Shanny]

Retrograding potatoes is a way of making resistant starch, and a lot of folks find if they're cautious about portion size, they can eat them without much of a bump in blood sugar.

Use new red potatoes, or other waxy varieties, and boil them gently in the jackets until tender. Remove from heat and drain - then allow potatoes to set until they are cooled to room temperature. After completely at room temperature, refrigerate them for at least 24 hours. The essence of this procedure is to take it very slowly.

From here on, you can make whatever you want with them, as long as it doesn't include reheating - reheating can possibly damage the resistant starch properties. I always make potato salad. Start with eating only about 1/2 cup, and be sure to test according to eat-to-your-meter, in order to learn exactly how this impacts your blood sugar.

[Shalynne]

I actually have half a wine barrel planted with red potatoes that should be ready for harvest.

Last year's crop did not work out.  If the current crop is successful, I'm gonna try this out!

And yes ... test-test-test is The Order Of The Day.

[Grammabear]

My husband just planted this years crop of potatoes in the garden.  So far the weather has been most cooperative in that it has rained at least 3 times a week.  Last years' harvest yielded a 25lb bag (bird seed size bag), and since hubby is very fond of potatoes, they did not go begging.  It will be fun to try this new way of fixing potatoes so that I can enjoy them too.

[Shanny]

We haven't grown our own for several years now, but it was wonderful when we could. And when there's enough rain, you get some huge harvests! The digging got to be hard for us . . . he'd be loosening the soil with a pitchfork & I'd be picking out the spuds. But they'd last us all winter - almost until it was time to plant again. Those were the days!  8)

[Grammabear]

We haven't grown our own for several years now, but it was wonderful when we could. And when there's enough rain, you get some huge harvests! The digging got to be hard for us . . . he'd be loosing the soil with a pitchfork & I'd be picking out the spuds. But they'd last us all winter - almost until it was time to plant again. Those were the days!  8)

My husband loves to watch things grow and gardening is his hobby.  This year (for the first time) he asked 'eldest son' to help him plant.  He tills the ground with a pitchfork and works in compost also.  I've gently suggested he get a small rototiller, but "Oh, No"....."I will continue to do it by hand as our garden plot is small."  He is an ornery old pup, but he is my ornery old pup.  We share our potatoes with our sons and some of the close neighbors. 

[patdart]

Shanny, et al, I too make my potato salad with the retrograded potatoes with good results, but this year I am going to try taking some from the fridge and allow them to warm a bit to room temp and serve a few on a plate with salt, pepper and melted butter poured over them.  I also think some added to a salad plate could be good.  Serving size is critical of course as is testing.

[Timewise]

Shanny,

Thanks for posting.  I picked this Method up last year and gave potatoes salad a try, testing at 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr.....with no spike in BS!  I could not believe it...I do not really understand why it works, but for me it does!   And that potato salad is so....good!  Our local Price Chopper sells a small bag of red 'new potatoes'!  That is the only potato we have used....

[Shanny]

Same here, Carl. I think any waxy variety like Yukon Gold, etc., should work, but since my first success with red (like Pontiacs), I'm not eager to mess with success!  8)

[Shalynne]

Yukon Golds have a reputation for being finicky plants with a very short season.  So for homegrown, I'll stick with reds for now.

[Maggie]

OMG! I did not know you could alter potatoes like this. I have been missing potatoes something awful since they were my favorite food. Boiled, baked, fried, mashed, I loved them every way.

[Timewise]

Maggie....go for it but remember first time test BS at 1hr, 2hr, 3hr....to make sure it works well for you

I was very pleased when I found this and with Potato Salad it is wonderful!  And the 'reds' are in the stores now....

Good Luck

[patdart]

Maggie, be sure to test carefully as not everyone can do this.  Also, I need to stress that portion size is critical. 

[skb]

Maggie, be sure to test carefully as not everyone can do this.  Also, I need to stress that portion size is critical.

Very true. Let your meter guide you. Test, test, test.

[bigskygal]

Bought myself one red potato today.  Will retrograde it tomorrow and have potato salad on the weekend.

I can only eat 1/2 cup at a time so my tater should be 2 servings.

[bigskygal]

I had my retrograded potato salad for dinner tonight.  I haven't made it for a couple of years.  Boy did it taste good!!   

Here are my test results:

before:                    79 (4.37)
1 hr after first bite:  94 (5.2)
1.5 hr after:             86 ( 4.76)
2 hrs after:              83 (4.59)
2.5 hrs after:           79(4.37)

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!