Let your Spuds Shine - Wonky’s Guide to New Zealand Potatoes

_{Wonky’s Guide to New Zealand Potatoes}

At Wonky, we’re best buds with all the spuds - but did you know that each variety has its own special talents in the kitchen? Some make perfect chips, while others are better off boiled or in a salad.

How potatoes perform in the kitchen comes down to the starch and water content of each variety:

• High-starch potatoes are the fluffy fellas. They soak up moisture, which gives them a light, airy texture - perfect for mashing and frying.
• Waxy potatoes on the other hand contain less starch and more water. These hearty spuds stay firm and are better at keeping their shape when cooked, making them the go-to for salads and stews.

Let’s dig up some more dirt on the varieties you’ll often find in Wonky Box:

_{Agria Potatoes}

Agria are the starchy all rounders of the potato world and great to have in your pantry to satisfy most potato cravings! Their low moisture content makes them wonderfully fluffy and easy to crisp up in the oven. Reach for these when you want chips, fries or roast potatoes, or if you’re after a nice, light mashed potato dish. 

Want our fail-proof way to get the CRISPIEST roasted spuds? Get the recipe

_{Yellow Fransisca Potatoes}

These potatoes have a creamy, buttery texture due to their medium starch content. They hold their shape better than Agria when cooked but are still soft and smooth. You can expect a richer, buttery flavour which makes them best suited to indulgent, creamy dishes like decadent mashed potatoes, roasts or gratins.

Purple Pelisse Potatoes

As the name suggests, these moderately waxy spuds are the vibrant, purple variety in Wonky’s potato line up. They hold their shape well during cooking while still remaining tender and smooth. With their striking colour, Purple Pelisse are a delicious choice for potato salads, and when you want to add a pop of colour to the plate.

_{Red Potatoes}

Spot these a mile away, with their distinctive red skin and white flesh. On the waxier end of the potato spectrum, they hold their shape well when cooked and are a ‘spudtacular’ choice for salads, soups and stews. They’re the cool, calm and collected ones who won’t fall apart under pressure! 

_{Nadine Potatoes}

Nadine potatoes are the smooth talkers of the bunch. With their silky, waxy texture, they stay firm and fabulous when boiled or steamed. Perfect for salads or a good ol’ potato bake, where a firm texture is desired. 

_{Jersey Bennies}

As the first new potatoes of the season in New Zealand, Jersey Bennies hold a special place in our hearts as the potatoes of summer and Christmas time! Being on the waxy side, they hold their shape well when cooked and are suitable for salads and even shine as simple boiled or steamed potatoes. Their sweet, nutty flavour makes them a seasonal favourite among potato lovers.

In Wonky Box you’ll receive a rotation of potatoes for every occasion, each with its own unique talents and flavours. Whether you’re craving crispy fries, creamy mash, or a colourful salad, knowing your starchy spuds from the waxy ones can help make a spud-tastic dish.