A lot of us have mentioned not having a whole lot to blog about lately (heavens knows why), so I've decided to embrace it. I literally had this thought while I was standing at the sink peeling potatoes. One time, many years ago, while I was standing at the same sink peeling potatoes for some sort of gathering that I was hosting, I was brushed aside by another woman (no, sister, it wasn't you!) who grasped the potato from my hands and started to peel, as if I wasn't fast enough or good enough. It bugged the hell out of me, because I do just fine, thank you, but hey, if you want to do this so I can go do something else, have at it!
This memory then led to this post idea. The mundane theme of the day is peeling potatoes.
Time to weigh in on two questions:
1. With what do you peel your potatoes?
a)
b)
c)
2. In which direction do you peel your potatoes?
a) toward you
b) away from you
Thank you for participating in my first ever "Mundane" post. I'm sensing a "Mundane Monday" trend about to happen!
(Please note the use of Joanne's towel for my display photos!)
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My own answers would be 1. a) the standard old-fashioned peeler because it is smooth and you can jab that little end into the potato to dig out the "eyes"
2. b) away from me
Riveting!
My answer is (c) knife, and (a) toward me. I am pretty quick.
ReplyDeleteThank you for playing!
DeleteI don't know about anybody else, but I like this post! My answer regarding the potato peeler is: None of the above. My peeler is one of those with a handle and "U" shaped head. It looks kinds like an old-fashioned slingshot, but much smaller. Can you picture it? And I peel toward myself. And sometimes take a nick off the end of a fingernail. TMI?
ReplyDeleteThe start of your post (pushy woman being pushy) made me think that perhaps a good topic for a post to get lots of interaction (or not) would be to pick a word (i.e., potato peeler) and ask what memories or thoughts are brought to mind and have our readers jot them down in the comments. No? Okay, maybe we're all getting a little wacky these days . . . But I did like this post of yours!
I never thought of that kind!! (Don't have one, or I would go and take a picture and add it to the post). Yes, that's a good idea for a post - go for it Mama Pea! I'll come and add my memories.
DeleteDefinitely knife, and toward myself. I always put garlic in my potatoes. If you haven’t tried it, you might like it. You don’t really taste it, once it’s boiled. Mash and butter and cream.... Perfect! I love this post... gets to know each other’s idiosyncrasies... 👍🏻
ReplyDeleteOh, actually I do sometimes throw a pinch of garlic powder in there. I never thought of it tonight. Thanks for playing!
DeleteI am c as well and towards me. Fun game
ReplyDeleteYou knife wielders seem to be in the lead!
DeleteC and towards myself, I've tried using a peeler before but the knife is faster for me.
ReplyDeleteIf I peel them I use the first (only with a padded handle), and away from me, because I cannot control this particular peeler toward me. Remember, I had to set up housekeeping all over again, five years ago.
ReplyDeleteIf the potato is thin skinned, I just scrub them, cook and mash. With butter and water they were cooked in. I dip out a mug of water before I drain them.
My answer is c. I have always used a paring knife. My mother-in-law would not let me peel potatoes as she said I wasted too much of the potato when I did.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I literally LOVE this post!
ReplyDeleteI use a regular old potato peeler. I thought it was fine, until my bestie came to visit and told me it was the worst thing ever! I suppose she is right, because thinking about it, it is the same one I've had since we were married. Almost 30 years ago!!! Just something I never thought to buy! LOL I think I peel away from myself. But sometimes I leave it to HungryJack!
I never peel potatoes. I always leave the skin on. Then again, I don't make mashed potatoes. I either boil or roast mine. However, on the matter of veg peelers, the old timey cheap silver ones (#1) are the best! I've purchased more expensive ones and they don't do half as good a job! (I use veg peelers to peel carrots and beets).
ReplyDeleteB and away from myself
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone so far! It's honestly so much fun to read everyone's answers and to have people weighing in on peel or not peel, mash or not mash... I truly am enjoying this!
ReplyDeleteI use a left handed peeler although I am right handed and peel towards me. It works best. Rather rude what that woman did to you while peeling.
ReplyDeleteAway from me with an articulating peeler! Mash with a SCREEN masher.
ReplyDeleteNow, didn't I just have to go look up "articulating peeler". I've now discovered that there is a peeler that looks like tongs used for asparagus.
DeleteToward myself with a paring knife. Fun idea--Mundane Mondays!
ReplyDeleteToward me with a paring knife also. As a teen, used the peeler because my mom would yell at me for peeling away too much of the potato, but then she would yell at me for being too slow with the peeler. Now, when I peel my own potatoes, I think of her every time I peel off a bit too much of the potato with the peel and I stand there peeling away with a smile on my face, as my husband helps me and uses the peeler. Ranee (MN)
ReplyDeleteYou don't like mashed potatoes? Now that's just crazy talk. I adore them and could devour an entire bowl all by myself. I use B and always away from me, but try to leave a bit of the skin on.
ReplyDeleteF uses a kind of a. (because it takes off less than even the sharpest knife in my hands, and can't cut me) and towards. Maybe that woman who shoved you aside wanted to help but had a deeply hidden social disability (wouldn't ask what you needed help with in case it was something she couldn't do) but lets face it peeling spuds is fairly undemanding of expertise.
ReplyDelete1.c But this knive of mine is a original "aardappelschilmesje", so a knive solely to use for peeling potatoes.
ReplyDelete2. towards
c. always
ReplyDeletetowards
But very rarely now.
My husband was a huge potato fan, mashed or left whole and I spent nearly 40 years peeling them almost everyday. Since he died I've not eaten them much and can go weeks without peeling a potato!
I use the silver peeler, one I've had for 45 years. My husband keeps it nice and sharp for me. I have at least five of them but always use the same one and I peel away from me. I use it for peeling turnips, sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips. Does anyone use a bay leaf or two to flavour your potatoes as they boil? Does anyone mash a cauliflower with the potatoes? Who knew there is so much to say about the preparation of this humble vegetable? Now I'm hungry.
ReplyDeleteI have done half cauliflower and half potato, not usually though. I have never even considered using a bay leaf. Interesting!
DeleteI kind of use a) but it's blade is solid so it doesn't swing at all, and handle is plastic. I have 2 of these, bought 27 years ago when we moved in this house.
ReplyDeleteAnd I peel towards me if it's potatoe or other round shaped veggie. Carrots, parsnips etc I peel away from me.
These are made by sveijco, a swedish company if I remember right you'll find similar fron Ikea.
I also have this slingshot peeler ( tupperware), but I just don't like it. It's good when peelin big veggies like sweet potatoes but not with potatoes or carrots. But I peel veggies a lot, with 4 kids in the house there's always someting under my knife...
No peeling here either, just a good scrub and rinse....I peel Mundra though, apart from when baking them, with a small very sharp knife
ReplyDeleteO.K., I'll ask. What is / are Mundra??
DeleteRarely peel as my favourite is jackets and they only need a good scrub..
ReplyDeleteC, toward me.
ReplyDeleteI have always preferred peeler 1 and I peel towards myself.
ReplyDeleteB, towards me. My old A gave up the ghost a few years ago. If I used C, there would be nothing left of my fingers.
ReplyDeleteC and towards me. I'm fairly quick after so many years of peeling spuds but, being left-handed, I am constantly reminded how clumsy and awkward I can be.
ReplyDeleteI have a different sort of peeler. I have arthritis in my hands that makes it difficult to handle both the tat and the peeler, so I lay the tat on a towel and pull it across, sideways. If the tats are getting wilty I use an ancient paring knife that belonged to my late husbands GRANDPARENTS.
ReplyDeleteI have something that is a bit of a cross between a) and b) but use it for carrots and other veg but not potatoes - just never seems to work properly. And then I peel away from myself. A long way of saying that therefore I use c) for potatoes and peel towards me.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love mashed potato but these (low carb) days they are a real treat so it's butter and cream and sometimes sour cream that gets added! Yummy.
I use a peeler moving toward myself as well as away, working with the contours of the potato. For creamy mashed potatoes: Salt, pepper, garlic and cream or milk are added. For loaded mashed, cheese is included.
ReplyDeleteI use the old fashioned peeler (A) and peel towards me. BYW, mashed potatoes are one of my favorite foods. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteOXO peeler and away... Use the little spot on the end for eyes too..
ReplyDeleteIf I peel, I use a) and peel away from me. I rarely peel, tho...
ReplyDeleteNew pots, scrub, old pots, knife, towards me. Steam, always.
ReplyDeleteI don’t peel potatoes anymore even for mashed. More flavour with the skin on. If I have to peel anything, I’d use the first peeler and peel away from me.
ReplyDeleteI use peeler a and I peel toward me most of the time. But I switch directions because I get bored and often peel around. But like Red Hen, I don't peel nearly so much as I used to!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when I read the first part of this because it reminded me of an incident long ago. Greg, the oldest, was graduating from high school and because we are grown ups and play well with others, we were co-hosting a party at his mom's house where one of the items on the menu was fruit salad. When I asked how I could best help Robin (Greg's mom) asked if I could cut up the cantaloupe for the fruit salad. Well, I'm no slouch at cantaloupe cutting -- I've done it often! But apparently I wasn't doing it right because she came over, took the knife (OK, I was a little scared with that) and said, "No, do it this way." (Which wasn't ALL that different from how I was doing it.) I could see then and there why she and Rick didn't stay together. Two control freaks in the same house is never a good combo!
Towards me and the "U" shaped one that Mama Pea mentioned. I use it for everything, carrots, parsnips etc., it works like a charm!
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled with how many people chimed in here! Thanks everyone, and keep em coming. :)
ReplyDeleteI stopped peeling my spuds as a) I am lazy and b) I like the skins
ReplyDeleteI also use thin skinned mickeys whenever I can.
Haven't peeled potatoes in years but when I did it was towards me with a knife .
ReplyDeleteRiveting indeed, b) and away from me... and sometimes, if I'm particularly lazy, I don't peel them at all and leave the skins on, washed and scrubbed first of coarse and nobody minds them in the Mash.
ReplyDeleteI don't generally peel potatoes unless the person I'm cooking for insists on it. I reckon the skin is the best bit!
ReplyDeleteAs for the questions - a short sharp knife (blade about 2" long), away from me. I always apologize to the potatoes first.
Don’t always peel them for mashing as I sometimes like them with the skin, else it’s a rubber handled jobbie a bit like B but with an eye thing. Always towards. I often throw in a garlic clove to be boiled up and it mashes through later for extra flavour. Mashed potato isn’t my favourite thing in the world, I must confess.
ReplyDeleteWith a, and towards myself. Recently (Christmas) got an OXO potato ricer. It's amazing! You can adjust the size of the extruding holes.
ReplyDeleteWith b and towards myself, never peel carrots just scrub.
ReplyDeleteMashed potatoes (from a chef)
Right kind of potatoes, large chunks, boil till nicely tender not mushy,drain well with lid, leave in hot pot few minutes until dry. Mash well then slowly pour milk into a few spaces showing pot bottom and swirl to warm milk...leave about a minute to absorb (important) then add salt and Butter and now you beat with spoon to make fluffy.
My kids loved mashed potatoes with pumpkin together.😊
I don't seem able to commit. Sometimes I use a potato peeler, other times a knife. Sometimes I peel towards me, others time away from me. I'm all over the place! LOL
ReplyDeleteI use a knife and peel towards me.
ReplyDeleteDarn it! I missed out, but in case you're wondering, same as you A) old fashioned peeler, and B) away frome me. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of answers you got! :) I'll play too. I've done both ways, but prefer a paring knife, towards me. Farmer does it with peeler away from him. I do use the peeler for carrots and peeling the tough skin off broccoli stalks.
ReplyDeleteGreat mundane post lol! "B" towards me. But then "B" comes in two types, one has the straight edges (which I have) and one has jagged edges which I tried and gnarled up the skin on my fingers! I love mashed potatoes...I put sour cream in them and then top them with shredded Cheddar...mmmmm! :)
ReplyDelete1. I use all of the above and 2. peel in both directions (peeler away and knife towards) whichever gets the job done the quickest. My mom was a real stickler about peeling with a knife and peeling as thin as possible so as to not waste any potato. Every potato I peel I start out consciously peeling the skin as thin as possible with a paring knife, but soon revert to the peeler and getting the job done!
ReplyDelete