Potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark place with good air circulation and should be checked regularly for soft spots or mold. A root cellar or cool basement is ideal, but refrigerators can alter taste. Cut potatoes can be stored in cold water and cooked potatoes freeze well.
Potatoes must be stored carefully to avoid spoiling. Typically, they should be stored in a cool, dark place. When storing potatoes, you should also make sure that air can circulate freely around them and that they are dry. Cut or peeled potatoes can be stored for a short time in cold water and prepared potato dishes can be frozen.
Improperly stored potatoes can sprout, turn green, or become soft and wrinkled. Typically, potatoes can be stored for about a week at room temperature. After this period, they often start to get worse. Stored potatoes should be checked regularly, and any that have started to go soft or develop mold or soft spots should be removed.
A cool area is best for storing potatoes for more than a week. Hot air, above 10°C, can cause germination. A root cellar is usually the perfect place to store potatoes, but a cool basement or garage will also work. Some people even prefer to store them in refrigerators, but this can slightly alter the taste and color of the potatoes.
The area where a person stores potatoes should also be dark. When potatoes are exposed to light, especially sunlight, they start producing chlorophyll. This can cause bright green spots on potatoes. Chlorophyll can make potatoes bitter and can also be toxic in very large amounts.
Opaque containers can be used to store potatoes if a dark spot is not available. These containers need to be properly vented, however, to ensure air is circulating around them. Containers of potatoes shouldn’t have an airtight seal, as this can trap moisture. This trapped moisture can make potatoes soft and wrinkled and can promote mold growth. Also, potatoes should never be stored after they have been washed, as they may be damp. Individuals should wait until potatoes are ready to cook before washing them.
Cut or peeled potatoes often turn brown quickly if not cooked soon. To prevent the potato flesh from turning brown, cut potatoes can be stored in a container of cold water. Ice can be added to the water to keep it cold, or the container can be stored in the refrigerator. Cold water will usually keep the flesh white for several hours.
In general, it is not recommended to freeze potatoes that have not been cooked. Cooked or blanched potatoes, however, usually freeze very well. Potato dishes, such as mashed potatoes or stir-fries, can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer.
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