As we gather around the table to enjoy a holiday feast with our loved ones, it’s heartwarming to remind ourselves of what we’re thankful for. Are you thankful for family and friends? Maybe a significant other comes to mind. Maybe you’re grateful for a job or experience you’ve had. Personally, I am thankful for the versatility of the modern day potato. Let me tell you why.

The potato is a wonder vegetable. While often categorized as a comfort food, this magnificent starch can be cooked in many different ways. Think back through your life to potato-based memories. Delicious mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving, baked potatoes at family dinner, potato soup your made when you had a cold. These are just a few potato dishes. Potatoes can be scalloped, mashed, roasted, fried, boiled, caramelized, skinned, or served au gratin. Is there anything the potato can’t do? The answer is no.

The potato can fit into a variety of diets. Are you vegan? Eat a potato. Are you vegetarian? Have a potato. Are you gluten-free? Enjoy a potato. Are you allergic to peanuts? Potatoes are peanut-free! Do you love carbs? Me too, let’s share a potato. Actually, get your own. Potatoes often get a bad wrap for being unhealthy, but it’s easy to find a healthy potato-based recipe on Pinterest these days. No matter what your dietary needs, odds are there’s a way for you to enjoy the Solanum tuberosum (the scientific name for potato).

You can find the potato just about anywhere. In America it grows commercially in 30 states, most coming from Idaho (not a surprise, they rhyme). The potato was discovered in Peru and bravely made its way to Europe, where it has spread to many regions of the world. The history of this super vegetable is so interesting that an entire website, potatogoodness.com, has been made in honor of it’s greatness.

As you scoop mounds of various potato creations onto your plate this holiday season, I hope you take some time to really appreciate this marvelous little veggie.