Available in many forms, steamed, mashed or fried, potatoes are one of the foods that most people love. However, many of them do not always know how to store them properly to make them last longer. Contrary to what we imagine, we should not store our potatoes anywhere: bad storage conditions are enough to accelerate germination and alter their quality. To preserve their benefits and unique taste, certain storage rules must be respected. Here are the mistakes to avoid and the best storage options.
How to prevent potatoes from sprouting?
It is not recommended to store potatoes with foods that can cause premature germination. Responsible for ripening, ethylene gas is present in various foods such as avocados, tomatoes and onions. In the fruit category, those that release this plant hormone are bananas, pears, apples and even mangos. It is also found in melons and watermelons. Therefore, you should avoid storing them together if you want these fruits to last longer. On the contrary, since ethylene helps these products to ripen faster, if you want to cause rapid ripening of an avocado, kiwi or banana, for example, simply combine them to make the magic happen.
Where to store potatoes so they don’t sprout?
Generally, the best way to preserve your potatoes is to store them in a cool place, away from direct sunlight, as the sun’s rays are responsible for the formation of chlorophyll, the characteristic pigment that causes the green color of potatoes when they germinate quickly. Therefore, choose the basement or garage. If you live in an apartment, the kitchen cabinet can be the solution, as long as it meets the optimal storage conditions. Above all, make sure you never leave them near the oven, microwave, under the sink or on top of the refrigerator.
When they are warmer than their ideal storage temperature, potatoes will gradually start to sprout. But beware, low temperatures are not ideal either. Do not consider storing them in an environment that is too cold, such as the refrigerator. Their metabolism can be affected: this can lead to the breakdown of starch into sugar. In other words, if you store potatoes in the refrigerator, once cooked, their flavour can be distorted and their appearance can easily take on an unappetizing brown hue. So, to avoid even the slightest problem, store them carefully in a vegetable drawer to be installed in the kitchen cupboard, away from light and, above all, away from onions.
How to preserve peeled and cut potatoes?
Were you thinking about making French fries and just realized that you peeled more potatoes than you needed? It’s not about wasting them by throwing them away, there is a trick to preserve the chopped pieces without them spoiling quickly. You will simply have to submerge them in a container full of water that you will store in the refrigerator. This way you can safely store them for a few days. Sure, your potato pieces will only lose a little starch, but that’s not a bad thing. Before frying, make sure to dry them well with a clean kitchen towel to avoid thermal shocks and hot oil splashes.
How to store cooked potatoes in the refrigerator?
Have your eyes been bigger than your stomach? Are you full and can’t finish this deliciously prepared dish? No problem, you can store the cooked potatoes in the refrigerator and eat them later. But be careful, to prevent them from spoiling and to avoid upsetting your stomach, you must take into account certain storage precautions.
1. Wait until they are cold
Rule of thumb: never put hot food in the fridge! This is the best way to attract bacteria and limit shelf life. Before putting them in the fridge, place the potatoes on a plate, cover them with a clean, dry cloth. Once cooled, you can store them inside.
2. Dry them before storing them
Also, don’t forget to dry them well before putting them in the refrigerator. To do this, use a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. In an airtight container
To prevent your potatoes from absorbing environmental odors, always remember to store them in an airtight container. Also, their smell will be an indicator of whether they are edible or not. When you eat them again, if you smell a questionable odor, it is best to abstain. Think about it!
4. How long can cooked potatoes be kept?
If you follow the storage conditions carefully, you should know that boiled potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for three or four days without any risk.
Why not store potatoes and onions together?
To ensure a good temperature, we are used to storing our vegetables and food in the pantry, on the balcony or in the cellar. But there are still other conditions to respect. Did you know, for example, that you should avoid having potatoes near onions? These two products, inexpensive and available in all markets, are never missing in homes. Curiously, we tend to always keep them together in the same space. Big mistake, say the experts. And not in vain, these two vegetables can negatively influence each other if kept in the same place. Agricultural experts recommend storing them in a dark and cool environment, but never next to each other. In fact, the onion releases a gas called “ethylene” that causes the potato to ripen and rot quickly. And, at the same time, the substances released by the tubers at this time also cause the onion to accelerate the deterioration process. It is a vicious circle that can only be broken if these foods are separated.
