“T&G’s Lotatoes, 40% less carb spud, has won The Ministry for Primary Industries Primary Sector Products Award at the 2017 New Zealand Food Awards.” With the rise of fake news in politics this year, I was sure our primary industry had finally fallen prey to fanciful headlines. I mean, low carb, low-calorie potatoes…really?
Being a country girl who comes from a large family of Pukekohe potato growers, there wasn’t a day in my childhood that a potato was not consumed. Boiled, mashed, roasted, potato top pies, potato salad, stuffed potatoes – we had it all. The humble potato was always a basic pantry staple. However in recent times, with the rising popularity of low carb and paleo diets, the potato has taken somewhat of a beating. Its ugly cousin, the Kumara (sweet potato), now takes centre stage in the pages of celebrity cookbooks and many dining tables.
However, a quick visit to Countdowns website confirmed the impossible. It appears that good old kiwi ingenuity has been applied to this first world dietary problem. The potato growers working with T&G (originally Turners & Growers) have produced a naturally bred innovation inspired by nature. Just like with apples, kiwifruit and countless other staple NZ produce, by simply cross-breeding different varieties of potato together they have created a winner – a 40% lower carb, low cal, flavoursome potato. Whats more, it’s also better for the environment. The Lotatoes growing cycle is 25% shorter than other varieties, which means less water is required. The press release rightly claims that those who complained the potato is too high in carboydrates can now ‘eat their words and our new potato.’
Visit www.lotatoes.co.nz for recipes, grower story and more information.
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