Best Potatoes to Plant

By William Woys Weaver
Published on December 30, 2009
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PHOTO: CLAUS ABLEITER
‘La Ratte,’ a delicious French fingerling variety with a slightly nutty flavor, are a strong 'best potatoes' candidate.

Can you recommend some yummy and unique varieties of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams I can plant in my garden this year?

Grace Irving
Tacoma, Washington

My favorite sweet potato is ‘Red Wine Velvet’ of the orange varieties, ‘Brazil White’ of the white-fleshed varieties, and ‘Camote Morado’ (a Nicaraguan variety) of the purple-fleshed sweet potatoes.

Of the 53 regular varieties I grow (all are favorites or I would not grow them), I think ‘La Ratte d’Ardeche’ ranks at or near the top of my list of ‘best potatoes.’ It is favored by chefs in Paris, as well. My favorite way to cook ‘La Ratte’ potatoes is to boil or steam them until al dente (about 12 minutes). Then I smoke the potatoes for 20 minutes over beechwood chips. The result is heavenly, and makes a great side dish for just about anything.

—?William Woys Weaver, contributing editor

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