Dealing with sprouting potatoes can be frustrating. Whether you’re planning to make golden fries, a hearty potato gratin, or a comforting baked dish, finding sprouts on your potatoes can ruin your plans. But don’t worry! There’s a clever, cost-free way to preserve your potatoes and prevent them from sprouting.
Why Do Potatoes Sprout?
Potatoes sprout when they are not stored properly. Improper storage allows greenish areas and sprouts to develop on the potato’s surface. These sprouts aren’t just an inconvenience—they make the potato unsafe to eat. Sprouted potatoes can produce toxic substances like chaconine and solanine, which can lead to symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps if consumed.
When to Discard Potatoes
If the sprout on your potato is longer than one centimeter, it’s best to throw the potato away. Additionally, if the tuber has significant discoloration or an unusual appearance across its surface, it’s safer not to eat it. These are signs of excessive solanine, which can harm your health.
How to Prevent Potatoes from Sprouting
To keep your potatoes fresh and prevent sprouting, follow these simple steps:
- Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Potatoes should be kept in a dry, cool, and dark environment. Avoid places with heat or direct light, such as the kitchen counter or refrigerator. However, ensure the storage area isn’t too humid, as excessive moisture can damage the potatoes. - Use a Cloth-Lined Box with Apples
Place the potatoes in a box lined with cloth and add two or three apples. This is the trick! Apples release ethylene, a natural gas that slows down the ripening process of potatoes.
Why Apples Work
While ethylene from apples usually accelerates ripening in other fruits and vegetables, it has the opposite effect on potatoes. The interaction between the potatoes’ solanine and the ethylene slows down the sprouting process, keeping the potatoes fresh for weeks.
By storing your potatoes properly and using this apple trick, you can extend their shelf life and avoid wasting food.
