Potato

Potatoes were not seen in Europe until the late 16th century. As a result they are not seen in period cooking.

A Brief History of Potatoes

Potatoes are indigenous to South America, and it not unusual for people with Incan personas to use the vegetable in their own dishes. Thanks to the Columbian Exchange, potatoes were introduced to Europe after the Spanish conquest of the Incan Empire.

They may have been introduced to England by Sir Francis Drake around 1586. Potatoes happened to grow very well in Ireland, and became the staple food there by 1650.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato

See also:

• New world foods
• period food