Potatoes and onions create amazing dishes, even if they aren’t quite the movie stars of the veggie realm.
They don’t look good sitting out on your countertop or in your fridge, which means storing them is important.
You want to make sure that they stay fresh as long as possible, which means keeping them away from light and heat.
The best way to do this is by keeping them in the refrigerator or freezer.
If you keep them in the fridge, they will stay cold, while freezing stops any moisture from penetrating their skin, which helps prevent mold and mildew growth.
It also slows down the rate at which they spoil.
However, there are things you should know about storing potatoes and onions before you buy them.
How do you store potatoes and onions?
You should put them in a cool, dry place with plenty of air circulation.
The ideal temperature is between 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit (4-21 degrees Celsius).
If you live somewhere that gets extreme temperatures, you might want to consider putting them in the freezer.
This keeps them colder than refrigeration.
If you’re not going to be using them right away, it’s a good idea to cut off the ends and store them in an airtight container.
Just make sure you wash them first.
Once you remove the skins, you can store them in the fridge.
If they’re left whole, you should wrap them tightly in aluminum foil.
Make sure you leave a little bit of space so they can breathe.
Do you have to store them in a cool, dark place?
No.
There isn’t much point in trying to keep them perfectly dark because the sun does more damage to them than anything else.
While it may seem like a good idea to cover them with something, it’s actually not necessary.
If you aren’t planning on using them soon, you can just leave them in a basket on top of the refrigerator door.
That way, they won’t get too hot, but they’ll still be safe from direct sunlight.
How often do you need to check on them?
This depends on what kind of bulb you use to cook them.
For example, if you’re using an electric frying pan, you probably shouldn’t check on them every day.
You can check on them every other day, though.
If you’re using a gas stove, you’ll need to check on them daily.
If you’re using a charcoal grill, you’ll need to check on them every couple of hours.
What happens if they start to sprout?
Sprouting is normal, but it’s best to let them grow until they reach the size you want.
Then, you can remove them from the pot and start preparing dinner.
If you want to stop them from growing, you can add some baking soda to the water that you boil them in.
This will help to slow down the process.
Can you still use them if they sprout?
Yes! Sprouts are edible, so you can eat them.
You don’t even need to peel them first.
Just make sure you rinse them thoroughly before eating them.
If you’re worried about bacteria, you can always cook them in a microwave.
How do you know when they’re starting to go bad?
There are different signs that indicate that your potatoes or onions are starting to rot.
For example, if you notice a foul odor coming from them, that’s a sign that they’ve gone bad.
Another indicator is discoloration.
If they turn brown, then they’ve begun rotting.
When you peel them, you may see yellowish spots.
These spots mean that the flesh has started to decay.
Is it better to store them in the fridge or freezer?
It’s best to keep them in the fridge.
The reason why is that the cold slows down the rate at which they spoil.
If you freeze them, they’ll remain frozen for quite a while, but they won’t last nearly as long as they would in the fridge.
Do you have to peel them before you store them?
No.
Peeling them isn’t really necessary, especially if you plan on microwaving them.
It’s okay to leave a few potato peels on the inside of the bowl, though.
The peels act as insulation, preventing the food from getting too hot.
Can you store them in a plastic bag?
Yes, but only for short periods of time.
Plastic bags tend to trap odors and moisture, which makes it difficult to keep them fresh.
You could try placing them in a paper bag, but that won’t work either.
Paper doesn’t allow enough oxygen to circulate around them, so you end up with moldy potatoes.
How long do they last once they’re stored?
Once they’re stored properly, they’ll last anywhere from three weeks to six months depending on what you’re doing with them.
If you plan on boiling them, you can expect them to last four to five days.
If you plan on roasting them, you can expect them to last seven to ten days.
Roasted potatoes and roasted onions can be used in salads, soups, and casseroles, so they’ll last longer than boiled ones.
If you plan on freezing them, you can expect them to last a month.
If you plan on dehydrating them, you can expect them to last about two months.
You can also dehydrate them after you roast them if you’d like them to last longer.
They’ll last longer in the oven than in the fridge, so they’ll last longer than if you dehydrated them straight from the fridge.
Slow Cooker Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Sweet potatoes
- 1 Yams
- 1 Potatoes Yukon gold
- 1 Potatoes red
- 1 Potatoes fingerling
Instructions
- Run the potatoes under warm water to prepare them. Remove any debris or residue with your fingers or a vegetable brush. It is vital to scrub your potatoes to remove any dirt that has developed on them.
- Then pat dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Potatoes should be pierced 8-10 times on all sides with a fork.
- After that, rub each potato with olive oil and season generously on the outside with kosher salt and pepper.
- Place the potatoes in the bottom of the cooker, then cover with the lid.
- That’s all there is to it.
- Because the bottom of our slow cooker only held four huge russet potatoes at a time, you’ll see four giant russet potatoes at a time. The size of your potatoes and the size of your slow cooker will influence how many potatoes you can cook at once!
- Turn your cooker to high and simmer your potatoes for 4-6 hours, depending on how large they are and how firm you prefer your potatoes.
- The amount of time it takes to cook your potatoes will vary depending on their size. To check if your potatoes are done, use a fork. They should be able to be pierced with a fork.
- Allow slow cooker potatoes to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving with your favourite tater toppings.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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