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Potatoes 'Red Riding Hood'

Potatoes 'Red Riding Hood'

Product number: 406492.1
Origin: Europe
Latin: Solanum tuberosum

(2015) Grower Jannes Aalders (Groningen). The seedling Blauwkapje (white with a blue top) originated from a German variety of the Kaiserstuhler Garten, and its open-pollinated seedling also proves interesting: red-white mottled. We received this variety from our garden friend Astrid Storm, who apparently received it from our colleague Lambert Sijens (De Tuinen van Weldadigheid). The taste is fine with a hint of "wild" and the texture ranges from lightly floury to quite firm.

MID-EARLY VARIETY FOR GOURMETS.
A mid-early variety means it can be harvested from August. Harvesting a few weeks earlier is possible by planting sooner. Planting time is from mid-April, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Pre-sprouting in light or in a large pot can be done earlier. Do not plant them in too wet a spot, but in good sunlight. Mid-early varieties can suffer from the dreaded potato blight (Phytophthora infestans). Some preventive measures are: spacious planting, fertilizing with potash, no spraying water over the plant, and possibly organic spraying with sulfur or silinal. The average planting distance is 70x40 cm; we recommend 80x40 cm to prevent diseases.

Denominations:
Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Aardappel
English: Potato

Planting time:

April
May

Soil type:

All soil types

Location:

Flower colour: White flowers with an occasional purple hue
Average growth height: 60 to 90 cm
Bulb / tuber size: Varies
Attractive to insects: N/A
Annual or perennial: Perennial
Winter hardy: Not frost hardy
Origin: Europe
Ease of cultivation: Moderate

Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Potato
Also known as: N/A
English: Aardappel

“These potatoes just aren’t what they used to be...” Does that lament sound familiar? Perhaps you lived (and tasted!) more intensely in the past, but when it comes to those old forgotten varieties, we have good news for you: they’re back, those spuds of yesteryear! Old varieties from before 1950 with unique flavours, special colours, unfamiliar shapes. How wonderful it would be if all those historical varieties were available on a special shelf at the greengrocer... but for now, you'll have to grow them yourself (or have them grown) for this "new" culinary journey of discovery. Just a culinary tip: because of their unique colour or shape, don't peel them, but clean them thoroughly and cook them whole; often the colour remains after cooking, and presentation matters, doesn't it...? In the English tradition, harvested potatoes are neatly cleaned and displayed in baskets. You could further develop this harvest presentation with unique gherkins, multi-coloured chard, pumpkins, red kale, blue corn: "browse" our seed guides for all those special (old but now trendy) vegetables. Potatoes that you have displayed for a while will slowly turn green and will then no longer be edible. For the grower, it's important to know that these old varieties are more susceptible to disease: plant them with ample space and keep a close eye on them. A fun tip: just plant at least 5 varieties; they are packed in small portions (1 kg), and put a clear sign with each separate variety. Cook and taste them separately, make it a "Van Gogh Potato Eaters Feast"... Do you know a "forgotten" variety: let us know. All that remains is for me to wish you a very good harvest and (for later): bon appétit!