Dumb Question

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Okay, I feel like an idiot for asking this, but I have very little potato experience--I've never served much in the way of starches except rice for dinner, but one of my kids (the one who is most likely to have celiac) always wanted bread, which I'm not letting him have any more at dinner. I've been making potatoes instead, which he loves, but I don't know how to store them so they don't turn green. I've been buying them in bulk to save $, but I swear they turn green in 48 hours no matter where I keep them!!

Where should I keep them? Are there varieties that don't turn green quickly? They looked fine in the store, but already they look like someone dyed them for St. Patrick's Day!!!!

[Lisa]

I think that a cool dry place would gain them some life. Spread them out so they don't touch each other, perhaps in a garage or out building. I think that would help their life span. Those with "eyes" keep them separate and use them first. I'm not the farmer girl here, but a learning experience. Hope this will help.

Lisa

PS: There are no DUMB questions on this site.

[Guest Viola]

There's no such thing as a dumb question. The green on potatoes can be dangerous to a weak immune system.

It light that causes it. When potatoes grow near the surface of the soil they will be dark green when picked. The same goes for store bought potatoes. If they are stored where they get lots of day light, they will turn green. Make sure you store in a cool, dry and DARK place and you will be fine.

Oops forgot .. it's also best if they are not stored in plastic. We take ours out of plastic bags and put them in paper bags in the cold room.

[key]

I will add one more thing to this. I didn't know that you weren't suppose to store onions near potatoes. IT makes them rot way sooner. I keep my potatoes in something that can breath and in the garage during the winter. Basements are great places for them too.

Monica

[Nantzie]

Ya know, I was wondering what was up with the green potatoes too. It's only been recently that I've noticed this. They seemed fine otherwise (not soft) so I've been using them with no problems. Potatoes usually last weeks, so I've been puzzled by this too.

I just found the Idaho Potato Board website, which has a lot of information. In the FAQ section, they answer this question about the green potatoes (YAY!!)

Open Original Shared Link

"Why are my potatoes turning green?

The greening is exposure to light. This can happen in the fields, or if out on display in the grocery store. This greening tastes bitter so just peel away before cooking. "

Also, you're supposed to store potatoes in a cool dark place. My mom used to keep them in a little bin in a lower cabinet. I did that for a long time too, but then I just decided to keep them in a basket on my counter. So it looks like, for me, I've just been exposing them to light, thereby turning them green. Guess mom knew best on that one.

Nancy

[Ursa Major]

All the answers are great. One addition: The green part on potatoes is actually TOXIC, so always, always completely cut it away, NEVER eat it! Also, if a potato sprouts, the part it grows out of is toxic as well. Cut off quite a chunk. Otherwise you are in for stomachaches or worse.

[debmidge]

also don't store them in refrigerator, even if they are covered from the light.

we good through them like crazy...hubby is expert potato picker outer! He gets annoyed when supermarket's stock is old or looks like they were mishandled.

[Guest Viola]

  debmidge said:

also don't store them in refrigerator, even if they are covered from the light.

we good through them like crazy...hubby is expert potato picker outer! He gets annoyed when supermarket's stock is old or looks like they were mishandled.

My hubby is the one that picks out the potatoes too, that's after we run out of the ones we grew.

[mamaw]

We grow our own potatoes but when Ineed to buy them I buy a fifty pound bag. I keep it in a cool, dark stop away from sunlight. They keep fairly well but I know sometimes when you buy them they all look green when you get them home. For spuds that begin to sprout all you need to do is take off the sprout and continue doing that the potato will stay or last longer. They become soft when the sprouts are left on.If you don't get them used up before they get soft , quarter them and dig a hole in your flower garden and plant it. You will have a green plant that flowers and also a few potatoes for fall. My grandkids love to dig potatoes to see who can find the biggest one. And they are the best tasting .

mamaw