The Spud Diner

It was a sizzling hot day in August. We swiftly walked into the cool, air conditioned mall, hoping to find relief from the heat. We met the cool, relaxing air graciously and sighed happily. It was far from the time we usually ate dinner yet we were feeling hungry. We walked around the mall, hoping to find an eligible restaurant to dine in.

By the time we decided to go up to the top floor of the mall we were already exhausted. Most of the restaurants were either too common or too expensive and we were losing hope of finding a new and cheap restaurant. We were about to give up when I spotted a green logo twinkling above all others. My eyes widened in delight as I read, “ The Spud Diner.”

I found that all of the dishes they served there were made out of my favorite root crop. There were various versions of my favorite dishes. Fries, potato lasagna, everything potato was there. I was excited to have a taste of the various potato dishes.

Their food was delicious and wonderfully presented. None of it seemed like it was slapped on the plate and then served. You could see how carefully it was cooked and presented. The Spud Diner is truly a place to come back to.

Spud Stalls

Twist Potato, The Potato Corner, Friends Fries.  These are but a few of the numerous population of potato based food stalls opening all around the world. Left and right you would see them as you walk in malls, streets, and highly populated areas. Oftentimes, there is more than one stall in every mall so as to give the people better access to it.

 As I walk leisurely past these stalls, I see the long queues of people wanting to buy fries and other potato products. They become willing to stand and wait to have a taste of the ever so famous potato. Be it in cheese, barbeque or sour cream flavor, the people adore the deliciously fried strips of potato and willingly waste their time away just to get their fix.

 Though it is obvious that the numerous stalls provide a way for people to get their beloved potato with less effort and hassle, I often wonder why the people decide to pay more instead of making their own potato dishes. With just a few ingredients and a little skill, one could master the art of cooking potatoes and manipulate the recipe to suit their own personal taste. This thought then leads me to a certain conclusion. And that conclusion is that the potato gives humans the urge to consume it and receive immediate satisfaction.

The potato is slowly gaining more and more power over the humans and there seems to be no way that anyone can stop this progression. All I can do is watch as the people devour the mighty spud and fall into its power. 

Potatoes in an Instant

It was a day full of joy and excitement. Our allowance had just arrived and we would finally be able to get something that we had long waited for. Today was the day that we would finally get some groceries.

We walked through the aisles, grabbing various food supplies. Cereal, milk, noodles, hotdogs, and meat were all crammed in our basket. When we finally thought we had everything we needed, we walked toward the cashier. And that’s when I saw it.

It was a nice yellow box, standing solitary on the shelf. It seemed to be shining amongst all of the other stuff around it, beckoning me to come and take it away. Large, red letters screamed out loud to me, calling for my attention. “Macy’s Instant Mashed Potatoes,” it said. “ POTATOOOES!” it echoed in my head.

                I immediately picked it up and placed it in the basket. I held my breath until it was safely put in the plastic bag. Soon, we were heading home with a box of mouth watering potatoes. I went to bed with a big smile on my face.

                In the morning I jumped out of my bed, immediately heading to the kitchen and picking up the box. I was hungry and excited. I began to read the instructions on the box. It told me to add hot water, butter , milk and salt to a cup of the potato flakes. I heated up the water and impatiently began to dump the stuff in the bowl. Quickly, I stirred the mixture.

                I stared at the product of my labors and sat at the table. My mouth watered at the sight. I took a spoonful  and placed it in my mouth. The flavors burst in my mouth, leaving me breathless. The smooth and even texture tickled my tongue as I savored every single particle of potato. It was creamy, salty, and heavenly. I felt as if I could finally die in peace.

          That was when I realized that potatoes were always delicious, whether they were instant or not. The fact that they were going instant made it much more appealing to the non-cooking society. And so the mighty potatoes continue to dominate the earth.

The Potato Conspiracy

 I sat quietly in the corner of the restaurant, eyeing my surroundings curiously. Everyone was chatting, chewing, sighing, and seemingly unaware of the great presence among them. That presence seemed frail and weak as they held it in their fingertips and chewed it in their puny mouths. In their fingertips they held something that could change the course of the future: the infamous Solanum tuberosum, commonly known as the potato.

                 It has been thousands of years since the potato was first cultivated by the Inca-Indians in Peru and since then it has spread throughout Europe and the world. Its charm has allowed it to gain popularity throughout the world and gain power over many. It even rivals the three largest food crops in the world, namely rice, wheat, and maize. In fact it has become the fourth most important staple food in the world today. The European Union even recommends the Asian countries to replace rice with potatoes as a staple food.

                Many say that it can be the solution for world hunger and poverty. It is said that it takes less effort to grow and cultivate potatoes and it can be used for a large variety of purposes. It is the most transformative crop that has ever existed.

                Sadly, not everything about this majestic root crop is good. When the potato was first introduced in Europe many people became suspicious of it. Many of the religious leaders during that time denounced it because it was not mentioned in the bible. Some even thought it was poisonous. Until now many people think that potatoes are bad for one’s health.

                Many of the articles that I’ve read on the internet say that the potatoes can cause diabetes and other health issues. They say that although it is rich in B vitamins and essential minerals it is merely a chunk of calories that can make you fat.

“So what would happen if the potatoes were to suddenly disappear?” I asked myself as I chewed on a handful of fries. As of now, it is the staple food of many countries. It has also become widely popular in the world. Many of our favorite dishes are made of potatoes. Fries, mashed potatoes, potato salad. All of those would be gone forever if the all the potatoes disappeared.

In 1845 and 1846, a disease ruined most of the potato crop in Ireland and caused major devastation. Many of the Irish were forced to move out of the country in search for food. That horrible event was called the Irish Potato famine. It may be a sample of what is to happen if all the potatoes disappear from the face of the earth.

If someone had control over the potato supply of the earth they would be able to control a large portion of the world population. They would have the whole world wrapped around their fingers. The power of potatoes is so great that one could rule over the world with it. With it, one could start a revolution, a war, or even a conspiracy.

The mysteries and possibilities of the potato are great and one cannot comprehend it all in one sitting. I slowly began to stand from the table, still lost in thought. As I walked out of the restaurant, I marveled at all the wonders that the potato could make. I smiled to myself and thought, “To be continued.”