Cop-out mashed potatoes

[serenissima]

We are thinking of trying for an Irish theme for supper on Wednesday. We have potatoes, we have cabbage already sliced, and there's sausage in the freezer (Italian sausage that was originally intended for pasta sauce, but let's not get picky). Can I microwave the potatoes to make mashed potatoes, or do they need to be boiled? I think they're russet baking potatoes.