Potatoes are adored worldwide, and almost everyone knows how to cook them.
They’re easy to grow in your backyard and they can be used in just about every type of recipe.
But what happens when you buy a potato and it’s already brown on the outside?
Or if you buy a bunch of potatoes and only half of them look good enough to eat?
In this article we’ll discuss whether or not potatoes can go bad.
Can potatoes go bad?
No, potatoes cannot go bad.
Potatoes are vegetables, so they don’t contain any bacteria or mold that could make them spoil.
However, because they are stored at room temperature (or sometimes even refrigerated), they can get “blighted,” which means that the skin starts to turn brown and dry out.
If you let potatoes sit around too long, they will start to decay.
This doesn’t mean that they’ll become rotten like an apple, but rather that they will lose their crispness and flavor, and may develop a bitter taste.
When you buy potatoes, you should check to see if they are bruised or cut up.
If they are, then you want to toss them right away and find another place to put them.
How can you tell if a potato is bad?
A lot of people think that if a potato has a little green sprout coming from its top, then it’s bad.
That’s wrong.
Green sprouts are actually a sign that the potato was recently harvested and is still fresh.
If you buy a potato that has a green sprout, that’s fine.
Just wash it off before eating it.
What are the signs that a potato is going bad?
The most obvious sign that a potato is spoiled is when it turns brown.
If you’ve ever bought a potato at the supermarket and it has been sitting there for a while, chances are that it’s going to be mushy and unappealing.
When you see brown spots on a potato, throw it away.
Another sign that a potato is bad is if it smells bad.
A bad potato will have a strong odor of ammonia.
You might also notice a metallic aftertaste.
These are both signs that the potato has gone bad.
Other signs that a potato is bad include the following:
- It feels soft when you squeeze it.
- It’s wrinkly.
- There’s no crunch left in it.
- You can’t pull it apart easily.
- You can see through it.
How long do potatoes last?
Most potatoes last for three to four weeks once they are cooked.
If you buy a bag full of potatoes, you can usually expect to get two to four servings out of it.
If you buy a large potato, it’ll probably take longer than that.
Can you eat potatoes that have gone bad?
Yes, you can eat potatoes that have gone bad.
It depends on what kind of potatoes you’re talking about and how much time has passed since you ate them.
If you’ve eaten a potato that has turned brown, it’s probably safe to eat.
If it’s still green, however, you should definitely throw it out.
What happens if you eat a bad potato?
Potatoes with a green sprout aren’t dangerous, as long as you cook them quickly and thoroughly.
If you leave a green sprout on a potato for more than a couple of hours, though, it becomes unsafe to eat.
Once the green sprout dries out and starts to rot, it can cause gastrointestinal problems.
How do you store potatoes to keep them fresh?
The easiest way to store potatoes is by putting them in a plastic bag.
Make sure to remove the air from the bag before sealing it shut so that they stay fresh and moist.
To help prevent mold growth, you can also wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil.
Don’t use wax paper, though.
It can trap moisture inside the potato, causing it to rot.
What is the best way to cook potatoes?
The best way to cook potatoes is by boiling them until they’re tender.
You can boil them whole or in pieces depending on how big they are.
To boil them whole, just add them to a pot of water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes, then drain and serve them immediately.
To boil them in pieces, first peel them and then cut them into bite-sized chunks.
Put these in a pot of cold water and bring it to a rolling boil.
Let the potatoes simmer for 10 minutes, then drain them and serve them hot.
What are some recipes that use potatoes?
Potatoes are often used in soups, stews, salads, casseroles and other dishes where they soak up flavors and provide texture.
Some of the best ways to enjoy potatoes are by making mashed potatoes, french fries and hash browns.
Do you have any tips for growing potatoes?
Growing potatoes isn’t difficult.
All you need is a sunny spot and access to a garden hose.
You can plant potatoes directly in the ground or in a container.
Either way, you should start by planting them early in the spring so that they’ll mature in time for harvest during the summer months.
What are some benefits of growing potatoes?
Besides being tasty and versatile, potatoes are also very nutritious.
They contain lots of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc.
They also contain fiber, protein and B complex vitamins.
Plus, they’re extremely low in calories.
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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