
Spuds you like: The humble potato was first domesticated by the pre-Inca people of the Andes some 8,000 years ago. And we've been loving those tubers ever since.

Colcannon, Ireland: Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish with mashed potatoes, bacon and cabbage. At Halloween, you might find a prize stirred inside.

Stoemp, Belgium: A hearty, wintry dish that mixes puréed potatoes with seasonal vegetables.

Bangers and mash, UK: The bangers (sausages) elevate the mash and the creamy potatoes take the bangers beyond the ordinary.

Meat pie with mashed potatoes and mushy peas, Australia: The nation's unofficial official dish, Aussies eat an estimated 270 million meat pies every year.

Duchess potatoes, France: Duchess potatoes are mashed potato mixed with egg, piped into swirls and then baked in the oven.

Shepherd's pie, UK: Ground lamb (or often beef) is mixed with gravy, onions, carrots, herbs and other vegetables of choice, then topped with lashings of mash.

Potato bread, Ireland: Leftover mashed potato is turned into a dough to create triangles -- known as farls -- which are then cooked on a griddle or in a heavy frying pan.

Crocchè, Italy: Can't decide between creamy mashed potato and a fried, crispy potato fritter? There's a snack for that.

Potato fries: The fry may be the world's favorite way to eat a potato. The concept is simple: Cut potato into straws and deep fry.

Poutine, Canada: Poutine is Quebec slang for "mess," but this is one hot mess we'd can't resist.

Potato wedges, Australia: Potato wedges are as advertised. A wedge of potato baked or, more commonly, fried, and usually seasoned with spices including paprika.

Potato hash, United States: Often made with leftovers from holiday meals, potato hash is a breakfast dish that's just as tempting any other time of day. This one's a sweet potato version.

Bubble and squeak, UK: The name of this dish, made from potatoes and cabbage, is said to refer to the sound the ingredients make when being fried.

Hash browns, United States: Like home fries, hash browns were often served in hotels and railroad dining cars before becoming a popular lunch counter and diner staple.

Tater tots, United States: The bite-sized pieces of fried potato made their debut at the 1954 National Potato Convention in Miami Beach, Florida.

Patatas bravas, Spain: These fried cubed potatoes, smothered in a spicy tomato-based sauce, are a bar snack staple in Spain.

Potatoes sarladaise, France: From the town of Sarlat in Périgord, the dish is made by slicing potatoes and fry them in the fat from confit duck or goose.

Potato chips/crisps, UK/Ireland: The earliest known recipe is traced to Englishman William Kitchiner's 1817 book "The Cook's Oracle."

Latkes, Eastern Europe: This fried potato pancake, traditionally served with sour cream and applesauce, is best known for its starring role in the traditions of Hanukkah.

Rösti, Switzerland: The word rösti means "crisp and golden," just as the sauteed potato fritter is best savored.

Gamja jeon, Korea: Gamja jeon pancakes are made with finely grated potato and onion and fried until golden.

Baked potatoes: Loaded or dressed baked potatoes, on the other hand, can serve as a main meal, piled high with cheese, bacon and other calorific delights.

Pommes Anna, France: Potatoes are peeled and thinly sliced, then layered with clarified butter in a pan and baked.

Potato gratin, France: Another popular way to eat potatoes in France is in the form of a gratin, a kind of fancy, creamy casserole finished with a browned crust.

Potato salad: Potato salad may be as American as apple pie, but it's said to have arrived in the United States by way of European immigrants. Who, in turn, were introduced to the dish by Spanish explorers.

Japanese potato salad: Half-mashed potatoes are combined with Japanese Kewpie mayo, rice wine vinegar and chopped cucumber and carrots.

Papas chorreadas, Colombia: This dish gets its name from the word "chorrear," meaning "to pour," which is what you do with the sauce made of onions, tomatoes and queso blanco.

Stovies, Scotland: Stewed on the stove, stovies are a hearty Scottish take on leftover meat, potato and onion.

Aloo Gobi, India: A classic Indian stew, aloo gobi is made with potatoes, cauliflower and peas and served over rice or atop some naan bread.

Caldo Verde, Portugal: Caldo verde is a broth made with grated potatoes, collard greens and chouriço sausage.

Irish stew, Ireland: Irish stew is usually made with lamb, potatoes, onion and carrots.

Nikujaga, Japan: Japanese for "meat and potatoes," nikujaga is seasoned with a sweet soy sauce stock, sesame oil, sake or rice wine.

Knish, New York: Knishes are baked or fried pastries filled with seasoned potato and other goodies.

Potato pierogi, Poland: Small dumplings that are boiled and then fried, pierogi can be stuffed with almost anything, including sauerkraut, ground meat and fruit.

Gnocchi, Italy: Some gnocchi ready for the pan. The trick is to cook it quickly so it winds up on your plate light and tender.

Kartoffelklösse, Germany: Boiled and riced potato is shaped into little balls, along with bread cubes, flour, egg and seasonings.

Skordalia, Greece: This garlic-laced dip is thickened by blending mashed potatoes with olive oil and lemon juice.

Causa rellena, Peru: Little stacks of citrusy mashed potatoes are layered with chicken or seafood, avocado and limes.

Blitva, Croatia: Blitva is a side dish of chard and potato, flavored with olive oil and garlic.

Potato stir fry, China: A Sichuan dish in which potatoes are julienned then stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorns, red chilies, ginger and garlic.

Paprikás krumpli, Hungary: A hearty stew that pairs peeled, cubed potatoes with sweet Hungarian paprika, simmered with garlic, tomatoes and peppers.

Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Portugal: This salt cod, onion and potato casserole is garnished with black olives and hard-boiled eggs.


