Let’s talk about ‘patatas’ and why they go well with corned beef and adobo

A starchy vegetable made it to the top trending topics in the Philippines this fine weekend. Yes, you guessed it right—we’re talking about patatas. 

I couldn’t pinpoint where and how it started exactly, but one of the top and earliest tweets about it is of actor-comedian Gabe Mercado, who gave quite a bold reminder that has gained almost 13,000 likes and nearly 5,000 retweets as of this writing: it’s for people “not to put extra things like patatas in adobo.” 

Because suntukan na lang

— Gabe Mercado (@gabemercado) May 28, 2022

Potato lovers were quick to jokingly attack him online for his posts, and while he has issued a public apology to “all lovers of patatas in their adobo” not too long after, he followed it with another brave thought—this time, about potatoes getting cooked with corned beef. 

“Do you also put patatas in your corned beef? Because I am team sibuyas lang ang malakas,” he said. 

Aika Robredo, the daughter of Vice President Leni Robredo, replied that it’s a yes for her. 

Yes to corned beef + patatas!! 🙋🏻‍♀️

— Aika Robredo (@aikarobredo) May 28, 2022

By tweeting almost the same opinion, he just hit two birds with one stone. And I am one with the thousands of people who lightheartedly took offense at Mercado’s tweets for many reasons, though mine only boil down to one thing: potatoes make everything better.

According to a 2022 report by the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, potatoes “are the No. 1 vegetable crop worldwide and the third most important human food crop, only behind rice and wheat in global production.” This shows their appeal in different parts of the globe—in fact, it’s being grown in over 160 countries as they “serve as a staple food for more than a billion people.”

Personally, on top of enjoying them as is, even the most bizarre combinations with potatoes surprisingly work for me. Fries with vanilla ice cream, potato chips with chocolate, even doughnuts topped with potato flakes—I could go on and on about their incredible versatility. 

Whether they’re mixed with something sweet or salty, they do the trick. This is exactly why I am on the side of those who delight in corned beef and adobo with potatoes. With their seemingly neutral flavor, I find that they are the best way to keep any food item balanced and set the taste buds up for a variety of textures and kicks.

I also enjoyed reading netizens’ own reasons why they cook the aforementioned local ulams with potatoes. Aside from that additional oomph, someone pointed out that excess salt could seep through the potatoes, helping dishes even out their taste and avoid any kind of overwhelm. 

An Internet user, meanwhile, said they act as an “extender,” so the viand, overall, could serve more people and make more tummies happy. This makes sense, especially for those who are on a budget, doesn’t it? 

They may also be good for the health. In a 2020 journal dubbed “The Potato and Its Contribution to the Human Diet and Health,” the authors stated that potatoes are an important source not only of various nutrients like carbohydrates, resistant starch, vitamins C and B6, and potassium, but also antioxidants that can boost the immune system. 

But while I’m one of the biggest potato lovers out there, it’s important to note that they should still be eaten in moderation. According to an article by the Harvard School of Public Health, potatoes “are high in the type of carbohydrate that the body digests rapidly, causing blood sugar and insulin to surge and then dip.” Food offerings with high-carbohydrate foods like such can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Let me end with the line “Haters gonna hate and potatoes gonna potate.” As Urban Dictionary put it, this simply means “you can’t stop people from doing what they do best.” Will you still do away with it the next time you cook adobo and corned beef, or will you give it a shot? It’s totally up to you. Whether you choose to make them stand alone or blend with other items, potatoes, after all, are just there, ready to give you joy and comfort whenever, and in whatever way you like.