Most of us find it hard to imagine our life without potatoes, not without reason potatoes called the second bread.

But until the end of the 16th century, potatoes were unknown not only in Russia, but also in Europe.

Only about 1570 to 1578 year, the potatoes were brought to Europe by Spanish sailors from South America, where it had for a long time served as food for the Indians.

And if scientists are still arguing about who brought the potatoes to Europe first, the name of the one who first described the potato is for certain is the Spaniard Pedro Cesa de Leon. It is from his book The Chronicle of Peru that the Europeans learned about potatoes.

Aborigines of Peru called potatoes respectfully - Papa.

From Spain, potatoes gradually spread throughout Europe.

First it was grown as an ornamental plant.

So in France began to grow potatoes actively Parisian pharmacist Antoine Auguste Parmantier. It was he who once presented a flower of potatoes to King Louis XVI, and he put it in his buttonhole. Then the flowers of the potato adorned the queen's hair, of course, her majesty rushed to imitate all the fashionable women who were ready to pay huge money for modest flowers.

When the potatoes were ripe, the wise druggist invited the cook to prepare various dishes from him, at the presence of the king and the nobility ate two plates of new food, and then the exotic product in front of everyone was tried by the king himself.

Parmantier hired guards and surrounded the potato field. At night, the guards filmed, allegedly for the reason that at night they could not find potato tubers.

However, curious townspeople managed to dig up the tubers and try them out. So potatoes began to gain popularity.

Peter Potter carried potatoes to Russia and ordered him to breed it in the provinces. But, alas, almost nothing happened from this. Tried to realize his plans and Catherine II, but again not too well.

Even "potato riots" swept across Russia.

The peasants called the potato a "fucking apple" and refused to eat it, claiming that it was a big sin.

So even in the early 19th century potatoes were not very common in Russia.

However, gradually the potatoes pushed into the background the trousers and turnips, which at that time were considered the main peasant dishes.

At the end of the 19 th century - the beginning of the 20th the agricultural branch was formed - potato growing.

Later, scientists found that potato tubers, in addition to a large amount of starch, protein, amino acids, also contain vitamins C, B1, B2, PP, K, valuable microelements-iodine, iron, calcium, sulfur, potassium.

Potatoes, especially young and cooked in uniform, remove excess water from the body, slags, helps with gout, gastritis, peptic ulcer, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis.

Masks from mashed potatoes with cream, milk and eggs rejuvenate the skin of the face, give it firmness and silkiness.

Almost no food in the world is without potatoes. What does not exist from it!.

Do you remember how selflessly she listened to dishes from Potato's cook Tosya Kislitsina from the movie "The Girls"?.

We choose the most simple and delicious.

For example, "straw in oil".

You will need:.

- 6 potatoes;.

- vegetable or butter;.

- salt to taste.

Cooking method:.

Cut potatoes not too thin straws, dry on a napkin. On the heated frying pan put the oil so much that, it filled the frying pan about two fingers on two. Pour the cooked potatoes into the hot butter, cover the minutes with two covers, then reduce the heat to medium, remove the cover and fry the potatoes until ready, stirring occasionally. Before the very willingness to salt.

Health. Sumy. Ua.