Tips on storing potatoes

[Biene]

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has any tips on storing potatoes.

I've just had to throw out a bag of potatoes because they've started sprouting, I only bought them on Friday?? :mad: Now DF has had to make a trip to the supermarket to buy some more.

I store them in the pantry, but they only seem to last 2-3 days before I have to chuck them out. Any ideas?

[OM]

I think it is the heat cause my potatos are doing the same thing.

I am interested to hear any advice on this issue though.

[wattle]

Me too. I hate it when I go to cook them and they suddenly have arms!

[Nickster]

We always used to store them in the pantry - y'know a "cool dark place" - but it doesn't seem to work for us either anymore!
We now keep them in the fridge. No more "arms"!LOL!:p

[wattle]

Hey I just found this.....

Potatoes are pickier than most other vegetables about how they are stored. If you're not careful, they can sprout, sweeten or shrivel.


Steps:
1. Avoid rinsing potatoes before storing.

2. Place potatoes in a brown paper, burlap or plastic bag with holes in it.

3. Store in a cool, dark, dry place. A root cellar, if you have one, is the best storage option.

4. Make sure the temperature in the area is about 45 to 50 degrees F. Don't store potatoes in the refrigerator, or they will become too sweet.

5. Avoid storing potatoes with onions because, when close together, they produce gases that spoil both.

6. Store potatoes no longer than two months if mature. If they are new, store no longer than one week.

7. Check on them occasionally and remove those that have become soft or shriveled, as well as those that have sprouted.


Tips:
Potatoes sprout as a result of exposure to light or warm temperatures.

Avoid freezing uncooked potatoes.

Sweet potatoes, although they appear similar to other potatoes, are actually much more delicate. Store sweet potatoes for a maximum of one week.


Someone suggested storing an apple with the potatoes to keep it from sprouting eyes. Apples release ethylene gas and causes potatoes to sprout. When I am getting ready to plant, I put an apple with my potatoes to encourage sprouting.

[OM]

Good idea Nickster, I think I may have to downgrade the size of the bag I buy then or I won't be able to fit anything else in my fridge! :p

[OM]

Just read Wattle's post now I am back to square one then huh!

[Nickster]

Wow Wattle, I'm impressed, and all this time I thought they were just.....spuds!:p

We just buy a small bag to last for the week during Summer, and stick it in the fridge.....we have a very large fridge - love my fridge.
During Winter the spuds go into the bottom of the pantry and "vegetate" lol!

[Foxymoron]

I store my taters in my belly :p
Seriously though, I have this problem too so I only buy a few and when I know I will need them... I've started serving lots of my dinners with rice or cous cous as a side dish, at least for summer anyway... I can't survive too long without taters!

[Mischief]

Hey.....old potatos make the best hash browns and mash! Just pull the arms off them! :)

If you want a REALLY NICE hash brown rec...(like rostii really) try this.

Peel (if you want) the potatos and grate them.
Squeeze liquid out of them and down the sink
Add an egg (beaten), pinch nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Mix together
Fry (non stick if you want to be healthy, but I like to put lots of oil in the pan) in tablespoon fulls. Place the spoonful in the pan and flatten...

YYYUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMYYYY!!!! Really nice with bacon and eggs!

[giggles]

I have heard that to stop your taties sprouting you should place an apple in with them!

[shanz]

hey not sure if these work as we dont have tato issues but at the markets and in knick knacky shops here in wagga they are selling potato keepers(for ultimate freshness) its just a terracotta pot with lid and a hole towards the bottom on one side to get them out. Its supposed to keep them fresher for longer.