Potatoes are king at Olsen Farms

Merna and Brent Olsen specialize in gourmet varieties of potatoes, from familiar reds and Yukon golds to more unusual red and blue flesh varieties.

Olsen Farms near Colville delivers potatoes 10 months of each year. There are quite a few varieties available right now, including Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Red LaSoda, Viking Purple, German Butterball, Cal White, All Red, All Blue, Kerr’s Pink, Russet Norkotah and Red Gold.

For more information about the varieties, go to the Olsen Farms Web site at www.olsenfarms.com.

Olsen Farm potatoes can be found at the Spokane Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, Huckleberry’s Natural Market, Rocket Market, Yoke’s grocery stores, Pilgrim’s Natural Foods Market in Coeur d’Alene, and Super 1 Foods in Colville. They also can be found on the menu at several Spokane restaurants, including Luna, Latah Bistro, Mizuna, Cafe Marron and Fugazzi, and Lovitt Restaurant in Colville, Wash.

Here are a couple of potato recipes from the Olsens.

Olsen Farms’ Potato Soup

From Merna Olsen, Olsen Farms

6-8 medium red potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

2 carrots, diced

4 celery stalks, diced (optional)

2 quarts water

1 medium onion, chopped

6 tablespoons butter

6 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups milk

In large kettle, cook potatoes, carrots and celery in water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving liquid and putting vegetables aside. In the same kettle, sauté onion in butter until soft. Stir in flour, salt and pepper; gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Gently stir in cooked vegetables. Add 1 cup or more of the reserved liquid until soup is desired consistency. May need to add more salt and pepper to taste.

Note: This recipe is easily doubled.

Variation: Place shredded cheddar cheese in the bowl before adding soup.

Yield: About 2 1/2 quarts

Approximate nutrition per 10-ounce serving: 165 calories, 8 grams fat (5 grams saturated, 42 percent fat calories), 3 grams protein, 21 grams carbohydrate, 21 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 355 milligrams sodium.

‘Matty’s Mix’ Roasted Potatoes

From www.olsenfarms.com, courtesy Olsen Farms

1 mesh-bag Olsen Farms Variety Mix potatoes

Olive oil

Salt (optional)

White pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

Dried (or fresh) rosemary or basil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Oil a baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Slice potatoes in half. Lightly spray or roll in olive oil. Add salt and pepper. Sprinkle minced garlic and herbs over top. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

Yield: 2-4 servings

Approximate nutrition per serving: Unable to calculate due to recipe variables.