About the Harvest
Sweet Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are estimated to have been domesticated in Peru between 4,000-5,000 years ago, while other research indicates they may have originated in Asia. Today, there are thousands of varieties of sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are members of the morning glory family and are roots, unlike potatoes, which are tubers and part of the nightshade family. Sweet potatoes thrive in warm, temperate climates but can also be grown in cooler climates, like New Hampshire, depending on the variety. Sweet potatoes produce more pounds of food per acre than any other cultivated plant and must be cured for a few weeks after harvesting to increase their sweetness and extend their storage life.
Sweet potato flesh can be white, yellow, orange, or purple, making them good sources of beta-carotene, potassium, and fiber.
Pork:
Pork is the culinary name for the meat of a pig. It is the most commonly consumed meat worldwide, especially in Eastern Asia. It is forbidden to eat in certain religions, like Judaism and Islam.
Cured pork products are very common and include ham, bacon, and sausages.
The United States produces 11% of the world’s pork. China and the European Union collectively produce 62% of the world’s pork. There are 377 breeds of pig around the world.
Potatoes:
Potatoes originated in the Andes Mountains of South America about 10,000 years ago. There are more than 4,000 native varieties of potatoes found there. Potatoes are the third most important food crop in the world, after wheat and rice, and is the largest vegetable crop in the United States.
Potatoes require less water to grow than grain crops and can be grown in all kinds of climates. Eating the skin of potatoes is recommended as that is where most of its nutritional value is.