[Avodah] Kitniyos and Potatoes

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From: "Prof. Levine" 
A friend of mine once told me that the minhag of not eating kitnyos became
widespread after the potato was introduced in 1536 to Europe from the New
World and it use spread.  Without kitnyos or potatoes there would have been
almost nothing to eat.
>>

 I don't think that is correct. 
In fact, I have heard the opposite - that 'noch a mazel' that when they
banned Kitniyos potatoes had not yet been introduced to the Old World. 
For if they had, they too would have met the fate of Kitniyos.

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