Mashed potatoes made from flakes can equal fresh potatoes in flavor.
The nutritional value of the potato, its flavor and its ease of cooking, has made it the most popular vegetable worldwide. It is said the average American consumes 117 pounds of potatoes each year. The potato has four popular varieties: russet, long white, round white and round red. It is served many ways, including baked, deep fried, hash browned, as potato chips and mashed. For a quick serving, mashed potatoes can be made from potato flakes.
Making Potato Flakes
Potato flakes are cooked mashed potatoes with most of the water removed. The most common commercial process is drum drying. The potatoes are washed, peeled, cut into slices and steam cooked until a potato slurry is formed. The slurry is put in a heated drum, where it is dehydrated. The resulting dried mixture is scraped from the drum with a mechanical "doctor knife." The dried potatoes are now in the form of flakes.
Packaging and Storage
Potato flakes are packaged in boxes or plastic pouches. The standard size is a one pound package, which provides nine servings of prepared mashed potatoes. When purchased and taken home, an unopened package of mashed potato flakes should be stored in a cool, clean, dry place. Once opened, the unused potato flakes should be kept in an airtight plastic or glass container or zip-lock bags. Check the "Best By" date on the package.
Preparation
Mashed potato flakes are prepared by adding a measured amount of dry flakes to an equal amount of boiling water. Usually margarine and milk are added to the water. Some potato flakes are marketed with additional flavoring, such as onion, garlic, chives and butter. The flakes can also be used in a variety of recipes, including potato pancakes, bread, and thickening for soups, sauces or stews.
Nutrition
Mashed potatoes made from dehydrated flakes have more sodium and slightly less dietary fibre than natural potatoes. Otherwise, instant mashed potatoes have the same nutritional values as mashed fresh potatoes. A one cup serving of mashed potato contains about 17 mg of Vitamin C, as well as about two-thirds starch by dry weight, with smaller amounts of protein, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus.and vitamins A, B6 and P. Potatoes are very low in Cholesterol.
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