Fall in love at first bite this February with a dish that's as hearty as a mountain sunrise and as comforting as your favorite flannel.

February is National Potato Lover's Month, so we're playing matchmaker between the state's most beloved spuds and the smoky, savory flavors of local bacon and cheese. Our Colorado Proud Potato Bacon Chowder isn't just a meal; it's a love letter to the high-altitude harvests of the San Luis Valley, where the unique volcanic soil and 350 days of sunshine create the perfect conditions for growing more than 70 different varieties of potatoes. Whether you're cooking for a sweetheart or just treating yourself, this creamy chowder proves that when it comes to local flavor, there is simply no "substi-tuber" for the real thing.

Beyond the bowl, these spuds are the true heart of our state's agricultural heritage. Colorado ranks as the second-largest fresh potato shipper in the United States, producing roughly two billion pounds of potatoes annually-enough to feed more than 17 million people! This industry is a massive economic engine, contributing over $328 million in economic activity to the San Luis Valley alone and supporting thousands of local jobs.

By choosing Colorado-grown potatoes for your chowder, you're not just getting a nutrient-dense superfood that has more potassium than a banana; you're supporting the 150+ multi-generational farming families who keep the San Luis Valley communities thriving. This month, let's show some love to the farmers who work at 7,600 feet to bring these world-class tubers to our tables.

Want to bring this harvest home? Find your nearest farmer's market in our Farm Fresh Directory -available in English and Spanish. Explore Colorado Proud to connect with the producers who grow and craft the food that makes meals like this possible and look for the Colorado Proud label at your grocery store to buy local.

Shared by Colorado Potato Administrative Committee

Yield: 8-10 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 Minutes

Shelf life: 2 days
Freezing: Cool completely, then transfer to a shallow food storage container and cover tightly. Reheat and eat within 30 days.

Ingredients

• 10 slices thick-sliced bacon, chopped (like Tenderbelly or Brunson Meats)
• 1 sweet yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp garlic, crushed
• 4 medium russet potatoes, washed and diced
• 1 tbsp all purpose flour
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 4 cups heavy cream
• 1 tsp Italian herbs, dried
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Shoestring potatoes, shredded cheese and chopped green onions (for garnish)

Directions

1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon (uncovered) over medium heat until it becomes crispy (approximately 5 minutes)
2. Add diced onions to the pot and sauté until they become translucent, approximately 5 minutes
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
4. Add diced russet potatoes to the pot and stir to combine with the onions and garlic.
5. Season with cracked black pepper and Italian herbs.
6. Sprinkle flour over potatoes and mix in.
7. Pour in the chicken stock and cream, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender, usually around 10-15 minutes.
8. At the 10 minute mark, check for doneness and seasoning and adjust both if needed with more seasoning or more cook time
9. Serve the chowder hot, garnished with the shoestring potatoes, shredded cheese and chopped green onions.

Pairing Perfection

A Colorado wine that pairs well with this hearty dish is The Storm Cellar's 2024 Grüner Veltliner. This grape variety, native to Austria, is lean on the palate, with intense bright flavors of green apple, white pepper, and citrus peel to balance out the chowder's creaminess. With a long, dry, herbaceous finish, Grüner Veltliner is an extremely versatile food-pairing wine, and it especially shines around vegetables.

Looking for a non-alcoholic beverage option? Try OSIA mood beverages! They offer drinks for every mood: passion, boost, bliss, and ease.

Visit ColoradoProud.com for more recipes.