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potatoes

Definition

Potatoes are a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum. The word "potato" may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species. Potatoes were first domesticated by the indigenous peoples of the Andes mountains in South America at least 7,000 years ago. The Spanish introduced potatoes to Europe in the 16th century, and they quickly became a popular food crop. Today, potatoes are grown in many parts of the world, and they are a staple food for millions of people.

How can the word be used?

The potato is a member of the nightshade family.

potatoes

Different forms of the word

Noun: a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum.

Adjective: relating to potatoes.

Etymology

The word "potato" comes from the Spanish word "patata", which is derived from the Taino word "batata". The Taino people were the indigenous people of the Caribbean islands, and they were the first to cultivate potatoes.

The first recorded use of the word "potato" in English was in the 1590s.

Question

How can potatoes be cooked?