The author examines four domesticated plant species (the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato), describing how each has evolved a survival strategy based on satisfying human desires.

A farmer's family helps him dig a large potato out of the ground so they can use it to feed the town.

"You say potato...? Not anymore. You'll say, Wow! Fantastic! Incredible! You'll say, Who knew you could make a potato taste so good? Raghavan knew. A master teacher and beloved and award-winning cookbook author, Raghavan Iyer celebrates his favorite ingredient in Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, and Baked--And Fried, Too!, a continent-by-continent celebration of the amazing potato. Its recipes, inspired by a diversity of cuisines, are accompanied by enticing...