RUSSIAN BANANA

Russian Banana fingerling potatoes are small in size and are oblong, slender, and crescent in shape, averaging 6-7 centimeters in length. The skin is khaki-colored with many light brown spots freckled across the surface and a few, medium-set eyes.

The skin is also waxy, exceptionally smooth, and so thin that it is rarely peeled. The yellow to gold flesh is soft, dense, and moist. When cooked, Russian Banana fingerling potatoes are fluffy and have a full-bodied, buttery, and nutty taste.

Seasons/Availability

Russian Banana fingerling potatoes are available year-round, with peak season in the late summer and early fall.

Current Facts

Russian Banana fingerling potatoes, botanically classified as Solanum tuberosum, are members of the Solanaceae or nightshade family along with eggplants, tobacco, and petunias. The tuber’s slight curve and golden color earned the potato its fruity epithet. Russian Banana fingerling potatoes are native to Europe, but today they are the most commonly grown fingerling variety in the United States and are used in a variety of culinary applications.

Applications

Russian Banana fingerling potatoes are best suited for cooked applications such as grilling, baking, steaming, frying, or boiling. They are best known as a salad potato because they hold their shape when cooked and will not fall apart or become mealy. They can also be roasted with herbs and other savory vegetables to create a hearty side dish or cubed and used in soups to create a thick base.

Russian Banana fingerlings are also so tender that they have been sliced thin and used as a pizza topping. Russian Banana fingerling potatoes pair well with fresh chives, onions, bacon, mayonnaise, tomatoes, and meat dishes such as ham, brined chicken, and fish. They will keep for 3-5 weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.