Recipes with potatoes are a dime a dozen. Whether for lunch, dinner or as a snack – these delicious vegetables really have a lot to offer. The long shelf life is another advantage that makes potatoes one of the most popular vegetables in the world. But what if, in the middle of preparing dinner, you discover that the potatoes have sprouted? Are sprouted potatoes still edible or can the shoots even be poisonous? And how can you properly store the tubers so that they don't germinate in the cupboard at all? We give the answers in the article!
Can you still eat sprouted potatoes?
The majority of us have asked ourselves the question at least once: Can you still eat potatoes once they have sprouted?
In principle: Sprouted potatoes are still edible as long as they feel firm, don't look too wrinkled or shriveled and the sprouts are small. However, there is a risk that the seedlings are poisonous. They should therefore definitely be removed and you have to make sure that the potato is not too developed.
Things to know about food safety
Most nutrients are still intact in a firm, sprouted potato. When it germinates, it converts starch into sugar to feed the new potato plant that will grow from the sprouting sprouts. As you begin this process, you may find soft spots around what were once eyes that are now sprouts. Simply remove the shoots and soft spots and the potato is safe to useused in a recipebecome.
When should you not eat sprouted potatoes?
As germination progresses, the potato begins to shrink as more and more starch is converted into sugar and used for the growing sprouts. A wrinkled, shrunken, sprouted potato has lost more nutrients and is not very tasty. Avoid eating shriveled or wrinkled tubers.
Can sprouted potatoes be poisonous?
Solanine and chaconine, two types of natural toxins called glycoalkaloids, are found in the potato plant. They are most concentrated in the eyes, shoots and peel, but not in the rest of the potato. These compounds are toxic to humans and can cause headaches, vomiting and other digestive problems. As long as you remove the eyes, shoots and peel, you are unlikely to feel any ill effects. If your potato has a green skin, be sure to peel it before eating.
But don't let this warning scare you away from potatoes: you would have to eat a lot of sprouts and green peels to get sick.
How to properly store potatoes so that they don't sprout?
In order for your food to stay fresh and edible for as long as possible, it muststored correctlybecome. This can prevent germination and stop the development of potentially harmful bacteria.
Tips against sprouted potatoes – never store them together with onions!
Potatoes and onions go perfectly together in many dishes, but when it comes to storing them together, things are different. A little-known rule is that you need to keep potatoes away from onions or they will sprout faster. In order for the tubers to remain fresh and germ-free, there must be some space between them andyour onion supplygive. The same applies to apples.
This is the best way to store vegetables
To avoid having to eat sprouted potatoes, you should follow the following storage tips.
Be sure to store your potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place, especially if you plan to keep them for a long time. Ideal storage options include a cardboard box or brown paper bag in the pantry or basement. The ideal temperature for storage is around 10 degrees, although the storage location should still be well ventilated. Also make sure that the vegetables are not exposed to the sun. When potatoes get too much sun, they produce the toxic compound solanine, which makes them bitter and inedible. In some cases, eating such potatoes can cause nausea.
Commercial potato growers often treat their crops in various ways to prevent them from sprouting. If you buy organic potatoes or thatGrow your own vegetables, you can extend the shelf life by weeks or even months with a few simple storage tips.
- If you buy potatoes in bulk or harvest them yourself in the fall, be selective when choosing potato varieties. Some potatoes store better and longer than others. As a rule, drier, late-harvested potatoes keep best. Look for heirloom varieties that have a long history of keeping well.
- Homegrown potatoes must be dried (or cured) outdoors before they are suitable for long-term storage. If you skip this simple but important step, they won't last as long as they should.
- It may seem obvious, but even damaged potatoes don't last long. If you store good quality potatoes properly, they are less likely to go bad or sprout prematurely.
Can you store potatoes in the fridge?
Sure, we just talked about storing potatoes in a cool, dry place, but the fridge isn't the place for that. Not only is the refrigerator too cold a climate for potatoes, it also increases their sugar content and produces the harmful chemical acrylamide. In other words, resist the urge to put these vegetables in the fridge.
Freezing potatoes raw – is that possible?
When it comes to preserving food, we usually turn to the freezer, but raw potatoes don't do well in that either. It's best to prepare your potato recipe - e.g. B. mashed potatoes or potato casserole - and keep the finished dish in onefreezer-safe containerto enjoy it later.
Potato germinates – can you plant it?
Potatoes that have sprouted because they were stored too warm or for a long time can be planted in the garden or in a pot. This requires a warm, sunny location and humus-rich soil enriched with compost.
