Potatoes are the most commonly eaten vegetables around the world. They are cooked in many different ways and are used extensively in almost all kinds of cuisines. In fact, they are considered a staple food in many cultures. Whether you bake potatoes, mash them, fry them or boil them – you’ll have a delicious dish at your hands at the end.
The best part is that potatoes have a longer shelf life than most other fruits and vegetables. You can store raw potatoes in the pantry, cook and freeze them, and even leave them in the refrigerator overnight! However, you must know all about potato storage to store your potatoes correctly. Scroll down to take a look at how to store potatoes to increase their shelf life and enjoy yummy potato dishes whenever you want.
How to Store Potatoes in the Pantry
Potato storage is a simple process. Fresh raw potatoes can easily last for around 3 – 5 weeks in the pantry. Here’s how you can store raw potatoes in your pantry.
Inspect the Potatoes
The first thing you need to do is inspect your potatoes to make sure they are good for storing. Separate any potato that is soft, shriveled, or blackened. Also, look for the signs of mold, pest, or shovel damage. These potatoes are not suitable for long-term storage. Plus, mixing them with good potatoes can lead the entire lot to rot.
Choose the Right Container
Potatoes need to breathe to stay fresh. Therefore, choose a container that allows for maximum ventilation. Some great container options for storing potatoes include cardboard boxes, mesh bags, paper bags, and buckets. Avoid using plastic bags.
Choose the Right Spot
Choosing the right spot is crucial for long-term potato storage. It is best to store your potatoes in a cool, dark, and humid area. The best temperature range to store potatoes is from 45° to 50° F. If the temperature of the pantry is not ideal, you can store the potatoes in an unheated basement or insulated garage. Also, store your potatoes away from other fruits or vegetables, especially onions. Onions produce a gas that can ripen potatoes quickly.
Check on the Potatoes
Once you have stored the potatoes, check on them regularly to remove any that may be spoiled. It is best to check your lot of potatoes for soft, shriveled, or spoiled vegetables every 2 – 3 days. If you find any, remove them immediately to make sure other potatoes are not affected.
How to Store Potatoes in the Pantry
Raw Potatoes
Ideally, raw potatoes should never be stored in the fridge. This is important because potatoes are rich in starch, which can turn into sugar at low temperatures. As a result, the potatoes will lose their texture and flavor. However, if you must store raw potatoes in the fridge due to lack of pantry space or hot temperatures, they will last for around 3 – 4 weeks but will develop a sweet taste and turn dark when cooked.
Peeled and Cut Potatoes
One the other hand, raw peeled potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator overnight. Cut them into pieces and submerge into cold water. Leave the container in the refrigerator but make sure you consume cut and peeled potatoes within 24 hours.
How to Store Potatoes in the Freezer
Raw potatoes do not freeze well but if you cook and freeze them, they can last for up to a year as long as optimal freezing conditions are maintained. To freeze potatoes, peel and boil them until tender. Once cool, mash the potatoes and transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container. You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags. To elongate the life of frozen potatoes, maintain the freezer temperature at 0° F.
Potato storage is simple and easy. You can follow the tips and tricks discussed above to keep your raw and cooked potatoes fresh. However, if a potato smells wrong or develops green blemishes, it is best to discard it. Now that you know how to store potatoes, you can make sure your potatoes stay fresh for a long time. Plus, storing potatoes at home ensures that you never run out of your favorite veggies and make delicious potato dishes whenever you want!