Potatoes star in local festival

(Oven-baked sweet potato fries are a snap to make)

Favored foods are the stars of local food fests here in the Hudson Valley, and this weekend the humble potato takes its turn in the spotlight.

Last weekend it was the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival in Saugerties. This Saturday we have another event that is growing every year in popularity — the third annual Hudson Valley Potato Festival.

Ana Marie Organic Farms hosts the festival at the farm off Route 82 in Millbrook.

If you've never tried Ana Marie's organic olive oil from Portugal, you owe it to yourself to get some — it's really delicious. It's been produced on her family-owned farm since the 1500s, which is amazing.

"My farming methods reflect those of my father, grandfather and countless past generations of men and women who farmed on the soil of Portugal," Ana Marie states on her Web site.

And what better way to use olive oil than on fresh potatoes from this season's harvest. (Those are my delicious fingerlings I harvested in August in the photo above).

The Potato Festival will feature, of course, potatoes and locally made food, vendors, live music, raffles and a petting zoo for the kids. It runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In keeping with the "Think Local First" campaign of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the festival will feature live cooking demonstrations with local chefs such as Heather Casto of Chocolate Mousse catering and Joel Comiskey of the Silver Spoon Cafe.

One of the fun events at the fest will be a potato salad contest, which Heather and Joel will judge along with chefs Jeoffrey Casto and Ramiro Jimenez of La Puerta Azul in Millbrook.

If you think you make a mean potato salad, whip up your recipe and bring the prepared dish to the event by 1 p.m. Judging is set to start at 2 p.m. Chef Jimenez's new book, "Daily Feast," will be the prize for the winner of the contest. The book will also be for sale, and Jimenez will autograph copies for you as well.

One of the most simple recipes I like to make with fresh potatoes is Baked Potato Fries.
I bought some local sweet potatoes from Three Sisters Farm in New Paltz at the farmers market in Poughkeepsie a couple weeks ago and I have to say, I have never tasted a better sweet potato. Knowing where these spuds came from and how they were grown added to the enjoyment of this dish, pictured at the top of this post.

It's so easy, you'll want to make them every night, or even as a snack for lunch.

1. Wash and cut the potatoes (sweet or any other kind) into large slices.
2. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place on a cookie sheet and pop them into a 400-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes.

You might not be able to wait to eat them, but do let them cool.

Here's another really easy way to make potatoes that has endless possibilities.

(Punched potatoes can be made on the grill as you're sitting outside enjoying the crisp days of fall)

I featured the recipe for Punched Potatoes last year when I wrote about the Potato Festival.

But Michele from My Italian Grandmother got my mouth watering for them all over again when I read about her obsession, and a lot of other bloggers out there, for this great dish.

You can either bake the potatoes all the way and then do the "punching" toward the end of the cooking time or boil them first like Michele does and then finish them off in the oven.

1. Boil red and Yukon gold potatoes until fork-tender but not mushy.
2. Drain and place them on an oiled baking sheet; "punch" them with a wooden spoon or masher.
3. Warm up thin slices of garlic in olive oil in a skillet and pour a little over each potato.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pop the potatoes in the oven and bake until browned and a little crispy.
   

You can jazz them up a bit by adding Cheddar cheese or fresh herbs or anything else you can think of before returning them to the oven to finish.

Punched Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food.

If you need any more inspiration for indulging in some potatoes and olive oil this weekend, head on over to Ana Marie's farm for the potato festival.

If you need more information, call 845-868-7273 or e-mail oliveoil@aol.com.

And if you have a favorite potato recipe you would like to share, post it here or e-mail be at bfarrell@poughkeepsiejournal.com.