Just 2 Potatoes?

As often as I can I will decry the vast amount of food waste we have here in the West. This issue is very close to my heart, because as our world population grows, food shortages will become more of a reality for more people. The fact that food shortages are already a reality for many people is a terrible thing. Here and here are a couple of articles on food shortages and riots.

Our world is so interconnected, now. When Florida has unexpected weather that kills their orange groves, or drought in California kills the almond trees, our food gets more expensive and less available. Living here in Alberta, our local growing season is considerably less than climates to the south, and as a result of that much of our fresh produce is shipped here. When bad weather strikes. as it often does, decreased supply means more expensive grocery bills.

With this in mind, I thought I'd address the problem of the last 2 potatoes in the bag. You know the ones I mean- they're a bit on the soft side, kind of wrinkly, and may have eyes- those wierd tentacle-like things that your kids call alien life. You may have already bought a lovely new bag of potatoes, each with firm flesh and unwrinkled skin. But before you throw out your last 2 potatoes, give these ideas some thought. Throwing food away is a waste of all resources, from the land it's grown on, to the time spent on growing it, to the cost in your overall budget.

• Potato Pie (see above). Yes, this was made with 2 medium potatoes, sliced thinly with a mandoline slicer, and overlapped along the edges and around the bottom of the casserole dish. It actually made enough slices to have a second layer in the middle of this side dish.
• Soup. I know, I know. I mention soup a lot. But soup is the ultimate grocery-budget extender. All you need to make a great pot of soup is a little bit of a bunch of things, and somehow it magically becomes a filling, tasty meal. 2 potatoes is plenty.
  
• Maple and Sea Salt "Chips". (see image below) They're a bit sticky, a bit salty, and so good. The tricky part is being patient! I'm working with different ideas to make them as perfect as possible. I sense a #testkitchen coming up!
• Smashed Potatoes. Bake (or steam in the microwave) whole potatoes, and allow to cool. Use a potato masher to smash them as flat as you can. Sprinkle with a little olive oil. a little salt and pepper, and the herbs of your choosing. Bake at 425*F while you're cooking your fish at the same time and they make an excellent side dish.
• Shepherds Pie topping

• Tourtière (French-Canadian Meat Pie) filling
• Fish Cakes
• Warm (or cold) Potato Salad

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What do you do with your last 2 potatoes? What other ideas can you share?
Wishing you and yours an excellent day!
Stacy