VICTORIA-BY-THE-SEA - It's no secret the potato has long been enjoyed in a variety of ways on P.E.I. over the years and soon Islanders will have the opportunity to see the many different ways it's prepared in other countries and cultures as well.
The Multicultural Spud is a daily event where new Islanders from different cultures will share their passion for the potato and show how it is prepared in their home countries through demonstrations and samplings at the Red Sands Potato Fest Sept. 11-12.
The event is a joint effort between the festival and the P.E.I. Newcomers Association and will give Islanders a whole new culinary experience with one of P.E.I.'s most popular foods.
Lucie Newson, Red Sands Potato Fest co-ordinator, said the idea to feature a variety of cultural ways to prepare potatoes came from the fact it is a staple of Islanders' diets and it made sense to offer more examples of how it can be enjoyed.
"We wanted to feature different ways the potato is prepared around the world so we connected with the P.E.I. Newcomers Association (for the event)," Newson said. "We decided to open it up and explore the potato for what it is - a very versatile vegetable."
The demonstrations and samplings will allow Islanders to learn about the different ways the potato can be prepared and give them more options when cooking with them, Newson said.
"So now people can go into the grocery aisles and pick up a new spice that they've never used before (when preparing potatoes)."
Sharda Gupta, who came to Canada in 1962 from India and moved to P.E.I. in 1964, will be one of the featured cooks showcasing her potato-based dishes on Sept. 11.
Gupta will be preparing three separate items from her own recipes for the event, which includes a potato ball, potato roll and cabbage potato Sabzi.
She said she is thrilled to showcase her recipes and to be involved with the festival.
"I've loved cooking all my life," Gupta said.
"I'm very much interested in food."
The dishes she will be demonstrating are her own creations and are inspired by her East Indian culture, Gupta said.
