Oma's Authentic German Potato Salad {Black Gold Farms Better with Reds and Give-Away #SummerFood #BetterWithReds} (2024)

From summer's backyard grill to winter's crockpot, delicious and versatile red potatoes are a year-round staple of fresh, healthy cooking in my kitchen!

That's why I was especially delighted to be recommended by my friend Angie to participate in this year's #SummerFood #BetterWithRedsBetter with Reds campaign forBlack Gold Farmsand, withBrenda ofA Farmgirl's Dabbles!

In business for nearly ninety years, Black Gold Farms is an impressivesocially and environmentally responsible, fourth generation family owned organization. What began in 1928 by A. E. Halverson as a 10-acre plot of potatoes planted in the fertile soil of North Dakota's Red River Valleyhas evolved into a global operationunder the careful stewardship of his grandson, Gregg Halverson and his family.

Today, Black Gold Farms is comprised ofeleven farms with over 20,000 acres in production throughout the United States.Their strategic placement of farms from North Dakota to Texas, Florida and many states in between enables Black Gold Farms to provide a consistent stream of beautiful potatoes all year long. Additionally, maintaining multiple farm locations means lower transportation costs, which translatesto reduced fuel consumption; and best of all, these farms deliverjobs and community support to rural America, where its needed most.

Living in North Carolina now, I especially love that Black Gold Farms expanded their operations here in 2004 with the acquisition of the Durwood Cooper Farm. In addition to their amazing potatoes, Black Gold Farms grows corn and soybeans in Columbia,the only town in Tyrrell county.

Now, before you assume that you've never eaten Black Gold Farms potatoes, let me tell you that they not onlyship a half-billion pounds of potatoes annually,Black Gold Farms is also the world's largest producer of fresh-crop chipping potatoes, as in potato chips, forcompanies such as Frito-Lay!

As many of you know, I wasborn and raised in idyllic Bavaria during a time when organic produce and eating eggs collected the same morning was the norm. A time when whole foods were sold door-to-door by the local farmer from the side of a horse-drawn wagon lined with hay. As his horse clopped down our cobblestone street just before sunset, Herr Müllerwalked along side his wagon ringing a bell, calling out, "Kartoffeln, Eier, Zwiebeln" (translation: potatoes, eggs, onions) almost as a decreeof what should be served for dinner that evening. It was a time when everyone congregated in the kitchen because it was the warmest room in the house, a long walk and quiet conversation followed every evening meal and before bed, my Oma filled copper bedwarmers with boiling water and slipped them under the featherbed to warm our toes. It was also a time when sewing boxes and rolling pins were handed down through generations and flatware, dishes and teacup patterns rarely matched and no one cared. As for me, no other food memory takesme backtomy Oma's kitchen and that simpler time quickerthan red potatoes.

The list of health benefitsattributed to the consumption of red potatoes is a long one... Fat-free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium and high in Vitamin C, red potatoes are also an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin B-6, iron, potassiumand magnesium. And, at only 70 calories and 2 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving, you can see howounce for ounce, red potatoeseasilycontribute to healthiereating!

In addition to their stellar nutritional attributes, red potatoes are also incredibly versatile.Whether paired as ahearty sidetocampfire fare orcompanionto anelegantly prepared roast leg of lamb, red potatoesdeliver!They areeasy to prep, quick to cook and are lower in starch than other potatoes too. Red potatoes absorb less water than their starchier cousins; therefore,they won'tfall apart. They canbepre-cooked for use in casseroles and salads and to me, red potatoes, with their creamy texture and sweet flavor are as delicious cold as they are warm!

So now that June is upon us, it's time to ring in my favoriteholiday. Not Thanksgiving or Christmas...but Summer! Where every day feels like a mini-vacation because the days are longer, the sun is brighter, moods are lighter, fresh produce is everywhere and socializing aroundthe backyard grill naturally brings out the experimental chef in everyone.

And,since it's difficult to name another food that is more versatile orcompliments food prepared on the grill better than potato salad, I'm sharing my Oma's authentic German potato salad recipe made with delicious red potatoes sent to me by Black Gold Farms!

Also, you'll want to keep reading because after I show you how easy it is toprepare delicious, authentic German potato salad, you'll be invited to enter to win an incredible Summer Meals prize package valued at more than $500, all courtesy of Black Gold Farms!