Storing and Cooking Potatoes

I was washing some potatoes this morning so I could dehydrate them and, boy, were they dirty. A couple of them had clods of dirt covering one side of the potato. When I washed it off, the part that had been covered in the dirt was a different color than the rest of the potato. Most of the potato was getting a greenish tint but the part under the dirt still looked fresh and nice.

This experience reminded me that there is a proper way to store potatoes. When the experts tell you this is the way to store your fruits and vegetables, there is a reason for it.

Potatoes must be stored in a cool, dry and dark place.

Not storing potatoes properly causes them to spoil faster, grow “eyes”, and turn green. You can still use them when they turn green but they say it is best to not eat the peel.

Now I understand why, years ago, when people stored their potatoes for the winter, they would sometimes cover the potatoes in dirt in their cellars. It made the potatoes keep better for the winter. That little clod of dirt sure did make a difference on my potato.

Don’t store your potatoes in the refrigerator. The extra cold temperatures cause a reaction in the starch of the potatoes. This reaction can make your mashed potatoes become gummy and gooey rather than light and fluffy.

Speaking of mashed potatoes, I usually add 1-2 tsp. of sugar for every four potatoes when I mash them. I get more compliments on my potatoes and most people don’t have a clue what my secret is. (I guess the whole world knows now.)  🙂 🙂

When preparing to make mashed potatoes, don’t spend ages cutting the potatoes into small cubes before you boil them. Just cut them in fourths lengthwise and they will cook just as quickly as when they’re cubed.

Don’t like lumpy potatoes? (I know some of you do like lumps and that’s ok…) I use my hand mixer to beat my potatoes. The mixer makes it much less work, it’s faster and the mashed potatoes turn out beautifully smooth, light and fluffy. Carefully beat then slowly add your milk until you get the right consistency.

It’s hard telling what I will write about tomorrow. Maybe I will go peel some carrots and discover some deep meaningful insight about my carrots. 🙂 😉

      -Jill