When Potatoes Turn Green

[StrongerToday]

I thought I rememered seeing a discussion on when potatoes skins turn green and you shouldn't eat them, right? (I did try to search for the discussion but didn't find it easily) I did eat one yesterday and tried to avoid the skin, last night and today have not been pleasant Or maybe it's the fact that winter has returned and I am so not happy about it!! (whine)

[jerseyangel]

Hi,

The green means the potatoes were exposed to the light for too long.

If it's just a spot, you can cut that part off and use the rest. If a large part of the potato is green, it's best to throw it away.

At the store, I try and make sure the potatoes don't have any green on them, and once at home I store them in the pantry. (Dark)

[hez]

I was told growing up not to eat potatoes that are green. However, I have no idea why. I am curious.

Hez

[Kaycee]

Green potatoes are toxic.

Like Jerseyangel, if the spot is not too big, I just cut it out.

Cathy

[Cuervo]

Here's another potatoe question. My mom told me that if there are black spots on potatoes they are poisonous (dont' mind the spelling )???? Is this true?

[jerseyangel]

Here's another potatoe question. My mom told me that if there are black spots on potatoes they are poisonous (dont' mind the spelling )???? Is this true?

As far as I know, black on potatoes means that either they have been stored in the cold or it's due to bruising from handling.

Either way, I wouldn't eat them!

[wolfie]

I thought that you could just peel off the green? I have used potatoes that have had green under the skin....I guess I shouldn't be doing that? Yikes!

[Jestgar]

The green stuff isn't good for you, but it's water soluble. I cut it out and boil those potatoes (mostly since I fear I'm slightly sensitive to nightshades).

[gfp]

The green stuff isn't good for you, but it's water soluble. I cut it out and boil those potatoes (mostly since I fear I'm slightly sensitive to nightshades).

Yeah i think its just one of those mildly irritating things that usually a little bit of does no harm....

Your not mean to eat raw potatoes either.... but I often munch a couple of raw fries ... and it doesn't seem to affect me....

[Nantzie]

This is from the Idaho Potato Commission - Open Original Shared Link. They address the green potato thing and eating them raw, but I didn't see anything about the little black spots.

Is there any validity to the notion that the growths that form on potatoes after they have been sitting for quite some time is poisonous, and at the same time is also true that if the potato is green it also has poisonous compounds?

The sprouts that form after a potato sits for a while are not poisonous, its just the potato trying to replant itself. If they are small and can be rubbed off by hand then the potato is fine. If they go into the interior of the potato, they are fibrous and so won

[Tim-n-VA]

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

According to those two sites, the answer is that generally the green contains a poison and shoudl be avoided but it would take over four pounds to harm a healthy adult.

Edit to add:

Nantzie posted at the same time as I did and her source has a different answer. Take your pick.

[gfp]

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

According to those two sites, the answer is that generally the green contains a poison and shoudl be avoided but it would take over four pounds to harm a healthy adult.

Edit to add:

Nantzie posted at the same time as I did and her source has a different answer. Take your pick.

Im not sure its really different.... If I ate a pound of peas I'd be in agony and 1/2 pound of peanuts would be like a lead weight...

Im not sure I remember how many carrots it takes to kill you either but again you'd have to be pretty commited to killing yourself that way... Like lots of stuff to much of a good thing is usually toxic.... be it Vitamin A or green bits on potatoes.... so you could say carrots are toxic.... too if you want to be a pedant.... or you could say carrots are a nice healthy food... both are technically correct....