Can you use soft potatoes?
In this article, we will answer the question “Can you use soft potatoes?”, and how to store potatoes to prevent softening?
Can you use soft potatoes?
Yes, you can use soft potatoes as long as they are not moldy. Overly mushy spots can be cut out if the rest of the potato is fine. Through inspect the soft potatoes for any signs of spoilage before you use them for cooking or baking.
Since the soft potatoes are not at their prime best taste and texture, they are best used in the mashed form in soups, shepherd’s pie, or baked potato. To compensate for the lost taste, you can add some season to the baked potatoes with some salt, butter, and chives.
Should you discord the overly soft potatoes?
A shrunken and wrinkled potato with multiple soft spots is better off discarded. A shriveled potato is a dehydrated potato and it has lost most of its flavor.
No amount of cooking, baking, or seasoning will improve its texture. Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent the potatoes from getting to his point. More on this in the article below.
Can you eat green potatoes?
No, you cannot eat green potatoes. Potatoes turn green when frequently or continuously exposed to sunlight.
As a result of which potatoes start to produce chlorophyll and in some minute quantities, solanine. Solanine is a toxic alkaloid that makes your potatoes taste bitter.
If ingested in sufficient amounts, it can cause headaches, nausea, digestive disturbances, flushing, and abdominal pain.
The amount of solanine produced is directly proportional to the intensity and the duration of light the potatoes are exposed to. If you are hesitant to discard your green potatoes, you can safely use them after cooking or steaming.
Cooking or steaming cuts down the amount of solanine by 30-40 percent. To remove maximum solanine, you need to peel the potato and cut out the small green spots. However, if the green part is widespread even after peeling, you should discard the potatoes.
Should I discard a whole bag of potatoes if one of them is rotten?
No, you do not have to discard any healthy potatoes. Just take out the moldy or mushy potatoes and store the rest somewhere safe.
The mold will be present in the form of black, green, or blue fuzzy spots. Besides, moldy potatoes make their presence known due to their fishy and unpleasant smell.
Can you eat potatoes that have sprouted?
The eyes of the sprouted potatoes are the foundations for the new potato plant. The sprouting is triggered by a warm and dark storage area.
But the sprouted potatoes are completely safe to eat. Peel the potatoes and cut out the eyes. If the eyes have already grown a few inches long, the potato should either be planted or discarded.
Should I refrigerate my potatoes?
Refrigeration is a common answer to extend the shelf-life of most of the fresh produce. But refrigerating potatoes is not the best thing to do.
The refrigeration environment promotes the production of sugars from potato starches. The production of sugars makes the potatoes sweet, which is a major quality defect.
Other veggies that are best stored out of the fridge include sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, cucumbers, winter squashes, whole tomatoes, etc.
What is the best way to store potatoes?
Heat and moisture are the two enemies of potatoes. For the longevity of the potatoes, they must be stored somewhere cool and dry. A well-ventilated drawer or a root cellar are some good storage places for potatoes.
The ideal temperature for storing potatoes is 45-50℉. You could use an insulated garage or shed in winter to achieve this temperature. Keep the potatoes away from sunlight as it will lead to discoloration.
Wash the potatoes right before cooking them. If you wash them before storage, the excess surface moisture will prompt sprouting.
For a trick, you can try storing your potatoes with an apple or two. The ethylene gas released by the apples provides optimal preservation for the potatoes.
Last but not the least, store the potatoes away from onions. A certain gas released by onions may accelerate the ripening in potatoes.
What can you do with old and soft potatoes?
Having a bunch of potatoes that are not worth any cooking or baking is not a pleasant experience. It is a waste of money, time, and environmental resources.
What if we told you that spoiled potatoes could be useful! Potatoes make an excellent addition to your compost. They degrade quickly and replenish the soil with lost nutrients.
Moreover, sprouted spuds can grow into a beautiful potato plant if you know how to plant the spud and care for the growing plant.
Other FAQs about Potatoes that you may be interested in.
How to store potatoes in the fridge?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can you use soft potatoes?”, and how to store potatoes to prevent softening?
