Compared to other vegetables, potatoes can be stored without too much trouble. With the right storage techniques, good quality ones can last for several months. Knowing the secrets for proper storage is essential to get the most out of these vegetables, whether you bought them at the supermarket or grown in your own garden.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Storing the Potatoes
Step 1. Divide the potatoes
Once you've bought or picked them from your garden, take a moment to sort them out. Look for any that have broken, bruised, or other visible damage. These should not be stored: they will rot sooner than those in good condition, not to mention that they could affect them. Instead, choose one of the following options:
- Use damaged ones within 1-2 days, cutting out damaged or dented parts before using them.
- "Care" the potatoes to repair the damage and extend their shelf life (read the passage dedicated to this procedure).
- Throw away badly damaged or rotten ones.
Step 2. Store the potatoes in good condition in a dark and dry place
Once you have separated them from the damaged ones, place them in a space that is not exposed to light or humidity, which can cause them to turn green and / or rot. For example, store them in a basement, basement warehouse, or kitchen cabinet that you don't open often.
- In addition, they must be well ventilated. Most potatoes are sold in mesh bags that promote airflow, so use them. Do not put them in an airtight container.
- If you have harvested potatoes from your own garden, try placing them in wicker baskets or airy boxes. Add a newspaper page between each layer. Also cover the top layer with paper.
Step 3. The temperature should be cool
Potatoes should be stored at temperatures below 10 ° C. For optimal shelf life, the temperature should be between 2 and 4 ° C. A cool, dark place, such as a basement or basement warehouse, is usually fine.
Remember that the refrigerator is too cold for potatoes and can ruin the flavor. Read on to learn more
Step 4. Check the potatoes periodically to see if they are spoiled
If you follow the method above, most potatoes will last for a few months without problems. However, it is good to do a quick check every 2-3 weeks to see if they have any parts that have failed. A rotten potato can affect surrounding ones, so it's vital that you get rid of bad vegetables before they can ruin others. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Green parts: the potato has taken on a greenish color. Over time, the pulp softens and appears slightly shriveled. Often this is caused by exposure to light. If the discoloration is slight and has not spread, cut off the green parts of the peel before cooking the potatoes.
- Sprouts: small bumps begin to appear from the potato. They are usually accompanied by the appearance of green parts and the softening of the pulp. If the potato isn't too soft or green, cut the sprouts before cooking.
- Rotten parts: the potato has visibly gone bad. It can have a bad smell, a mushy texture and / or be covered with mold. Discard the rotten potatoes and replace the paper that has come into contact with the peel.
Step 5. Care for the potatoes for long-term storage
If you want them to last even longer, try the technique described below. It is also useful for potatoes that have minor damage and would otherwise be prone to rotting. "Curing" potatoes usually eliminates minor cuts and bruises. Here's how to do it:
- Place the potatoes on newspaper in a cool, dark place.
- Raise the temperature to 10-15 ° C, slightly higher than in classic storage.
- Leave them in this position without touching them. After about 2 weeks, the peel will have thickened and dried. Brush the larger lumps of dirt off the surface with a brush and store them according to the instructions above (at this point, you'll need to lower the temperature slightly).
Part 2 of 2: Know what to avoid
Step 1. Do not wash the potatoes before storing them
While it may be thought that cleaning them will make them less prone to rot, the truth is that it causes the opposite effect. Exposing potatoes to moisture shortens their shelf life and makes them much more prone to becoming rotten. Before and during the storage process, keep them as dry as possible.
If they are covered with soil, let them dry on the outside, then remove any noticeable lumps with a dry brush. You can (and should) wash them just before you start cooking them
Step 2. Do not store them in the refrigerator
As stated earlier, it is too cold for proper storage. Cold temperatures will cause the potatoes to turn starch into sugar, so they will taste unpleasantly sweet. This can also alter the color.
If you put them in the refrigerator, allow them to gradually warm up to room temperature before cooking. This reduces discoloration (although it may not completely eliminate it)
Step 3. Do not leave cut potatoes exposed to air
Once you have cut them, cook them as soon as possible. The exposed pulp is not as durable as the peel, which is harder. If you can't cook sliced potatoes right away, store them in cold water (calculate a level of 3-5 cm). They will last for about a day without losing texture or discoloring.
Step 4. Do not store them near fruit
Many fruits, such as apples, pears, and bananas, secrete a chemical called ethylene. This gas promotes ripening - you may have noticed that various types of fruit tend to ripen faster when stored together. Ethylene can make them sprout earlier, so keep the fruit elsewhere.
wikiHow Video: How to Store Potatoes
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Advice
- If you have any leftover potatoes from your garden when spring begins, use them to plant the next crop. Read this article to find out more.
- If they sweeten during storage, put them in a warmer (but still dark and dry) place for a week before cooking them. The sugars will begin to turn back into starches, reducing the sweet taste.
