The March Harvest of the Month feature is ... POTATOES! Try them in school lunch on . March 27

## A recipe for you to try at home...

# Roasted Garlic Mashers

Preparation Time: 45 min.; Serves 4 These easy, rustic mashed potatoes are a little creamy with a few lumps, and are packed with savory roasted garlic flavor. (Recipe by Chef Garrett Berdan, RD)

### Potatoes : How You Prepare them Makes All the Difference

Potatoes can be a delicious part of a healthy diet - it all depends upon how you prepare them. Potatoes contain more potassium than a banana, vitamin C, niacin (vitamin B ), and many other 6 important nutrients, but these positives tend to be outweighed when potatoes are deep fried, covered in cheese &sour cream, or mashed with butter & cream. Some ideas for how to enjoy the health benefits and great taste of potatoes without the negative consequences:

##### Ingredients:

-  1 pound red potatoes
-  2 whole garlic cloves, or ½ a head, papery skin removed
-  ½ teaspoon vegetable oil
-  ¾ - 1 cup 1% milk
-  ½ teaspoon salt

##### What to do:

-  Preheat the oven to 350  F.
- Keep the skins on. The skins contain many of the potato's nutrients. Unfortunately, they also may contain high levels of pesticides, therefore, it is best to eat organic potatoes.
-  Rinse and scrub potatoes, leave the skin on. Place potatoes in a 3- quart pot and fill with cold water to cover. Bring to a low boil and cook, partly covered, until tender when pierced with a knife and skins are cracked, about 40 minutes.
- Try topping baked potatoes with low-fat options such as broccoli, low-fat cheese, and roasted sunflower seeds.
-  While the potatoes are cooking, place the garlic cloves in the center of a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle with the vegetable oil. Fold the foil in half over the garlic, and fold the edges to create an airtight packet. Place in the preheated oven for 20 - 30 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned and soft. Mash the roasted garlic into a paste with the back of a spoon.
- Add flavor to potatoes without adding calories by using herbs and spices. Try roasting whole baby potatoes tossed in olive oil and rosemary or other herbs.
- Boil potatoes and cut them up in a Nicoise salad with lettuce, tuna, green beans, hard boiled eggs, olives, capers, & onion.
-  Drain potatoes, return them to the pot, and let steam evaporate.

Hot Potato Fun This is a quick and easy game you can play inside or out. Use a ball, potato or other object you can toss. Pretend it' s burning hot! Start the music and toss the object from one person to another. The person left holding the object when the music stops is out.

-  Heat the milk to a simmer and stir in the roasted garlic paste and salt. Keep warm.
-  Smash the cooked potatoes in the pot with a potato masher or a sturdy wooden spoon until potatoes are well broken up.
-  Stir in the hot milk mixture and continue to mash until all of the milk is incorporated and the smashed potatoes are a little creamy.

#### Creating lifelong healthy eaters by connecting the cafeteria to the classroom and the community

Nutrition information: Per serving: 111 calories, 1 g fat, 325 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein.