Austrian potato is a vegetable cultivated in North Austria. About 1,000,000 tons of this vegetable is cultivated in the state.
Popular Varieties of Austrian Potato
The Austrian Agricultural Board has approved over 60 varieties of local Austrian potatoes for internal production. They are as follows-
- Amado
- Calla
- Hermes
- Ceres
- Komet
- Kuras
- Merkur
- Pluto
- Ponto
- Tomensa
- Zenith
Other varieties of organic potatoes are also cultivated along with heritage strains like the Kifler Austrian potato and the Austrian Fingerling.
History of Austrian Potato
Potato was not native to Austria. However, when the root vegetable first arrived it was consumed by the rich upper class. A range of rich meat based dishes was prepared with potatoes as an accompaniment. With time, most of these dishes percolated down to the middle class and are still cooked in modern times. Domestic production of the potato started in 1850 and is now of the biggest domestic crops of the state.
Culinary Uses of Austrian Potato
- Knoedel potato dumplings are very popular in Austria. These dumplings are commonly prepared in both sweet as well as savory versions. For example, potato flour is prepared by mixing sieved potatoes with all purpose flour and salt to form a thick dough. The potato dough is then stuffed with smoked meat and celery root to from a savory dumpling that is cooked in a sauce. This is called as Wurstknoedel. The sweet version is called as Zwetschgenknoedel and is stuffed with plums, butter, sugar, cinnamon and breadcrumbs.
- Erdäpfelsalad is a local version of potato salad that is prepared with local Austrian fingerling potatoes.
- Another common variety of potato dumpling that is prepared in Austria is called as the Grammel Knoedel. Here, the potato dough is stuffed with deep fried pork crackling that has been flavored with garlic, leeks and salt.
- Knoblauchcreme Soup is a thick potato soup that is made from vegetables and potatoes in a thick meat stock.
Buying and Storing Austrian Potato
Austrian potato can be found at the local specialty food stores. Ruby crescent or Red thumb potatoes can be used as a replacement in case the original fingerling varieties cannot be found. The potatoes have to be stored in a well ventilated dark place to ensure a longer shelf life.
