The potato is not Irish for god's sake

It was domesticated in Peru 7000 years ago. Spanish explorers brought the potato plant from South America to Spain in the mid-sixteenth century, then the plant was taken to Italy, and other European countries.

"Incan myths relate that the Creator, Viracocha, caused the sun, moon and stars to emerge from Lake Titicaca. He also created agriculture when he sent his two sons to the human realm to study and classify the plants that grew there. They taught the people how to sow crops and how to use them so that they would never lack food"

Remember this next time in front of your frech fries :)

Sources:
http://www.potato2008.org/en/potato/origins.html

http://www.cipotato.org/pressroom/facts_figures/2008_international_year_of_the_potato.asp