Sweet potatoes are tasty, versatile and rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. They can be cooked in many ways; for example, few know that they are also excellent fried. If you have cut your potatoes but haven't used all of them or if they are spoiling and you want to save the parts that are still edible, there are many ways to preserve them while keeping their taste and properties intact.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Store Sweet Potatoes in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Place the pre-sliced raw sweet potatoes in a large bowl
It doesn't matter how you cut them: they can be in chunks, wedges or large pieces, with or without peel. The bowl must be perfectly clean and large enough to hold all the potatoes without going over the edge.
Before continuing, open the refrigerator and check that there is enough space for the bowl. If necessary, reorder the other foods
Step 2. Cover the potatoes with cold water
You can use tap water, even filtered, if you prefer. Make sure the potatoes are completely submerged in the water.
You can add a handful of ice cubes to keep the water cold, but it's not strictly necessary
Step 3. Return the bowl to the refrigerator and use the sweet potatoes within 24 hours
If you're cooking for an important lunch, you can slice the potatoes a day in advance and refrigerate them until it's time to cook them. If you drain them and find that they have turned black, softened, or have a slimy texture, throw them away as they may have spoiled.
Do not leave sweet potatoes to soak out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. If the water gets hot it is likely to blacken, while remaining edible
Method 2 of 3: Freeze Cut Sweet Potatoes
Step 1. If you wish to freeze raw sweet potatoes, it is best to peel them and cut them into chunks
Remove the peel with a vegetable peeler, then place them on a clean cutting board and cut them into 2-3 cm pieces. If you prefer, you can cut them into wedges.
- It is important to peel the potatoes before freezing them to prevent the bacteria present on the skin from transferring to the pulp during the defrosting phase.
- This is especially useful if the sweet potatoes are spoiling and you want to freeze the parts that are still edible.
- Save the peel from the potatoes and use it to make broth or put it in compost.
Step 2. Blanch the sweet potatoes for 2-3 minutes
Boil the water in a large pot and sear the potatoes for 2-3 minutes. Drain them in a colander, being careful not to burn yourself, then immediately transfer them to a large bowl filled with water and ice. Let them cool for 2-3 minutes in the water, then drain them and put them to dry on absorbent paper.
Blanching the potatoes will prevent them from having a slimy, chewy texture after defrosting them
Step 3. Place the potatoes in the food bags
Portion according to your future needs and use bags of suitable size. Before sealing them, squeeze them to let all the air out.
- Portioning potatoes now will save you time later, as they may stick together to form a single block when freezing. If the quantity already corresponds to a portion, you will not be forced to divide them.
- If you have the vacuum machine, this is a good opportunity to use it.
Step 4. Store raw sweet potatoes in the freezer for up to 6 months
Be careful not to mash them with other foods until they have hardened, or they could spoil before they have had time to freeze. After 5-6 hours they should be completely frozen.
Before storing the potatoes in the freezer, mark the prep or expiration date on the bag using a permanent marker
Step 5. Let the sweet potatoes defrost in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours
Do not keep them at room temperature without first letting them defrost in the refrigerator, otherwise molds and bacteria could develop due to the change in temperature. Aim to use the potatoes within 24 hours of taking them out of the freezer.
- Defrosted potatoes will have a slightly softer texture than the original, but they will still be great.
- If the potatoes have the signs of a cold burn, they may have an unpleasant taste. It is up to you to decide whether to try to cook them anyway or throw them away.
- If you don't have time to let the potatoes defrost in the refrigerator, try using the microwave's defrost function.
Method 3 of 3: Storing Cooked Sweet Potatoes
Step 1. If you have cut and cooked sweet potatoes, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days
Place them in an airtight container within an hour of cooking them. You can refrigerate them while they are still hot if you don't want to risk forgetting them. Seal the container with a lid or cling film.
Write the date of preparation on a label and attach it to the container of potatoes to remind you how long you have kept them in the freezer
Step 2. Alternatively, you can freeze cooked sweet potatoes and use them within a year
Regardless of the shape (whole, chopped or pureed), you can freeze cooked potatoes completely safely. Place them in a food bag and squeeze it to let out as much air as possible before zip-sealing it. Store the sweet potatoes in the freezer until you are ready to use them. At that point, just let them thaw slowly in the refrigerator and then heat them in a pan, oven or microwave.
Don't forget to put the date of preparation on the bag of potatoes to find out how long you have kept them in the freezer
Step 3. Throw away any potatoes that have a strange smell or color
If you notice that they have an unpleasant odor as you reheat them, or that black or brown spots (or mold) have formed, throw them away immediately.
- If you notice signs of a cold burn when you take your potatoes out of the freezer, consider that they may have an unpleasant taste. Since they are technically still good, you can freely decide whether to eat them or throw them away.
- If you've put leftover sweet potatoes in the refrigerator but aren't sure you can eat them before they go bad, freeze them so you don't have to throw them away.
Step 4. Finished
Advice
- If you bought sweet potatoes a long time ago and they're on the verge of spoiling, cut and freeze them. This way you won't risk having to throw them away.
- Technically, sweet potatoes kept in the freezer at a temperature of -18 ° C have an unlimited shelf life, but for reasons of taste it is better to respect the expiration date.
