Tuesday’s Cupful: Background on Fingerling Potatoes

Miniature doesn’t mean less tasty

These smaller potatoes sometimes get confused with new potatoes.  The latter are harvested before they have a chance to grow larger.  Fingerling potatoes, however, are naturally miniature when fully matured and ready for picking.  All fingerlings tend to have stubby or narrow appendages so hence the designation: "fingerling."  Look for smaller versions of Butterfinger, Purple Peruvian, and Red.  Fingerlings can be starchy or buttery like their larger counterparts.  Cooks can bake, boil, fry, and sautee fingerling potatoes.