Storing Potatoes
Since switching to organic potatoes exclusively about three years ago, I have been astonished at how quickly my russet potatoes will begin showing little sprouts now. If left to their own devices, my potatoes will easily be beyond use within a week or two, but by placing the potatoes not just in my cool, dark pantry, but also in a burlap sack, the storage time for organic potatoes quickly becomes on par with that of conventional potatoes. In addition, keeping potatoes away from onions is very important in preventing spoilage as both release gases that are mutually harmful to each other. On several occasions I have read tips advising the placing of an apple or other fruit in a bag of potatoes, but upon both further research, and personal experience, this tip will only result in more spoilage as the fruit releases ethanol gases which actually promote spoilage.
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15 comments:
Thanks for this tip! My organic potatoes always have to be used up quickly! So, where do you get a burlap bag? (silly question, I know...I just don't have one and don't know where to get one!)
Thanks for sharing that tip. I often buy large bags of potatoes on sale and want them to last as long as possible.
Blessings
My mom taught me that trick about keeping potatoes and onions separate, and it has really made a huge difference! I'll have to keep my eye out for a burlap sack... where did you get yours? Thanks for sharing such great tips; they are especially helpful for me as I try to slowly move our family in the right direction with our food choices and such. :~)
Laura & Arlene- I was given a bunch of burlap bags last fall from one of the farmers that we purchase from. If you know of any farmers, gardeners, etc you may be able to get burlap bags at free or really low cost through them. Also, if you google burlap bags, several websites should pop up where you can purchase them, and I know you can also purchase them through ULINE. Burlap bags are really handy in the pantry, and also for other storage needs--even for lining the trunk when heavy hauling might be needed. They really are handy to have around!
Thank you so so much for this tip!!! I always put my onions and potatoes next to each other on the counter... but, I won't now!! I just bought some organic potatoes today! Thanks again Amy!
Thank you! That is a very handy tip. I always keep my onions and potatoes together, maybe thats why it is always sprouting. (both onions and potatoes) I was going to ask about burlap bags too, but I see the link, i will check it out.
Wonderful Tips. Thank you, I hate buying more expensive potatoes only to have them go bad when I didn't use them in time!
Keeping potatoes away from onions? I had no idea! Thanks for the tip.
Amy-
Thank you! I just started using organics, and I was having this problem, as well. And, living on a 3rd story condo, I don't have a basement to store them in, so the pantry was my best option. Think I'll be getting a burlap sack from one of the farms around us when the open again in April :)
~Bethany
Have you ever tried freezing potatoes for storage? I know you have to cook them first...or at least I think so! I've heard they do not freeze well but that seems impossible to me as there are so many different kinds of frozen potatoes out there. I might try it some time. I like to make a big batch of pancakes and freeze em. Maybe I'll try hash browns, too. Anything to make breakfast faster!
I put my small red potatoes in the produce tray in the fridge - they seem to last pretty good in there. :)
Thanks for this, I was doing everything wrong in storing my potatoes it seems!!
Karen- I have successfully made frozen mashed potatoes, but have yet to try anything else. You do bring up an excellent point about all the frozen potato products! Surely there has to be some way to make frozen hash browns or fries at home. Let me know if you figure anything out, as I would be anxious to try. :o)
Oh my...I gotta go move my onions. They are in a cart between the sweets and russets. Yikes!
Thanks Mrs. B!
Donna
This was so timely for me. Thanks and now off to find some burlap bags somewhere, somehow
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