Name: Purple Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs purple potatoes; 1 tsp salt; 4 garlic cloves (pressed); 3 tbsp vegan butter (or ghee); 1/3 cup almond milk (warm); fresh thyme (to garnish)

These little starchy blobs of vegetables have spread their wings far and wide in the World. Potatoes are a few of the world’s most consumed veggies and can you blame them? They are versatile and can be seamlessly incorporated into any cuisine.

Infamous for their carbs value, they are our ultimate comfort food in the form of fries, mashed potatoes, hash browns, curries, and so on. Mains or sides, potatoes have always stayed on our good side. Although slightly less popular than their yellow, brown, golden, or red varieties, purple potatoes are every bit tasty and perhaps even more nutritious.

Let us dive into a warm comforting recipe for mashed purple potatoes to understand their tasty goodness.

Benefits of purple potatoes

It is important to include foods of diverse colors in our diets for a wholesome meal. Thanks to a pigment class of anthocyanins, the purple potatoes have not just an eye-catchy color but also carry antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Together with the anthocyanins and high potassium content, the consumption of purple potatoes has been linked with the regulation of blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke in hypertensive subjects.

Although they have a comparable carb content to the other potato varieties, due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, it is believed that the purple potatoes may play a role in regulating blood sugar levels.

The other great thing about this variety is that it packs 3.3g of fiber per 100g of boiled potatoes with skin, which is a great contribution to the daily fiber content. And the benefits don’t end here. Some compounds from purple potatoes have also been shown to control/inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro.

What you need to make this recipe

For making purple mashed potatoes for 4 servings, all you need is:

15 minutes of prep time
25 minutes of cook time,
Some simple ingredients: purple potatoes, salt, garlic, fresh herbs
The following tools: a knife, a large pot, a potato masher, or a big fork

Steps for the best purple mashed potatoes

Wash, peel, and rinse the purple potatoes

Like every other tuberous vegetable, these purple potatoes also need to be washed under running water to remove excess dirt and soil. Further, peel the potatoes and rinse them well again.
Chop the purple potatoes

Cut the peeled potatoes into 1⁄2-inch cubes. Cutting them into even-sized pieces helps them cook uniformly.
Submerge the cubes in water and boil

In a large pot, add the chopped potatoes, and 1 tsp salt, and fill it up with enough cold water so that there is 1-inch water above the level of potatoes. Starting with cold water before cooking helps to cook the purple potatoes evenly. If you put the potato pieces in boiling water, then the potatoes overcook on the surface whereas the inner core remains under cooked. Place the pot over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Then, turn the heat low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Do the fork test to check if the potatoes are done. Turn off the heat and take the pot off the stove.
Drain and mash the potatoes

Carefully drain the hot water and return the potatoes to the pot. Use a potato masher or a big fork to mash the cooked purple potatoes.
Incorporate milk and other seasonings

Add butter, almond milk, 1⁄2 tsp salt, and pressed garlic to the potatoes while still hot. Use a wooden spoon to incorporate the ingredients properly. The purple potatoes have lesser moisture, starch, and more waxiness than their other counterparts, and hence adding milk and butter gives them a sumptuous texture.
Garnish and serve

Garnish with chopped thyme or chives and serve hot

Tips for making the best purple mashed potatoes

Avoid boiling whole potatoes

Boiling whole potatoes will cook them unevenly. Hence, for uniform cooking, it is important that you cut the purple potatoes identically.
Don’t overcook them

Overcooking potatoes will incorporate more moisture than required and you may end up losing the flavour.
Don’t over-whip

Over whipping the potatoes results in a sticky and gummy texture making it unpleasant for your palate. Hence don’t go with the flow, for once!
Choose add-ins as per your choice

If you prefer creamier mashed potatoes, substitute the almond milk with cream. Add in your favorite herbs. If coriander, parsley, or rosemary are your calling, don’t think twice, it’ll be great! If you prefer your potatoes lemony, add in lemon and lemon zest along with Dijon mustard for a unique flavor. Sprinkle with a little black pepper or cumin powder for an alternative seasoning.

What mains can purple mashed potatoes accompany?

Mashed potatoes go well with steaks and meatballs. So, an eggplant steak, cauliflower steak, or vegan meatballs would be ideal mains to pair with this vibrant side dish. Don’t forget to add a few roasted colored carrots or roasted veggies on the side to keep up with the color theme.

Recipe FAQs

Where to find purple potatoes?

Originally from Peru, these potatoes are now available everywhere. They may be a little hard to find in supermarkets. However, if you live in metropolitan cities, farmers’ markets are your best bet to find purple potatoes.

How do purple potatoes compare in taste with golden/beige potatoes?

Purple potatoes taste just like golden/beige potatoes and make for a delicious, mashed potato recipe. Texture-wise, they may be a little waxier, however, that does not interfere with their taste profile.

Can purple potatoes be used in a sweet dish?

Yes, you make a sweet version of purple mashed potatoes by using maple syrup or agave syrup for the sweetness. For seasoning, add some cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Add candied pecans or cranberries for a bit of crunch and texture. Don’t forget to add a pinch of salt for elevating the sweet flavors.

Can it be made vegan?

Yes, instead of traditional butter, go for vegan butter made with coconut or other vegetable-origin butter.

Can you make this dish made with potato skin on?

Yes, purple potatoes have a thin skin. Hence, if you don’t mind a little texture from the peels, keep them on. Further, leaving the skin on improves the fiber content of the dish too.

I love seeing your take on my recipes, so if you make this salad don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @theawesomegreen so I can see it and share with the community!

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