Baked, mashed, fried, roasted, boiled....
Potatoes are one of my all-time favorite foods, and I know I’m not the only one! So how do we keep these wonderfully versatile tubers fresh and safe to eat for as long as possible?
First, we need to understand that bacteria are the cause of potato rot. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, so we must make sure that we do NOT give bacteria a chance to thrive on our potatoes.[1]
We can protect our potatoes by following these steps:
1) When purchasing, choose potatoes that are clean and firm.
2) Handle with care and do your best to not bruise or cut the potatoes before you’re ready to cook them.
3) Brush off dirt with dry hands or a dry vegetable brush (using water or soap causes rot from the moisture).[2]
4) Place in burlap sack, paper bag, mesh bag, or crate.
5) Store in a cool, dry, dark place with good ventilation.[3]
a. Basement
b. Garage
c. Cellar
d. Storage room
6) When you are ready to use the potatoes, check for any dark or green spots. Cutting out those spots keeps toxins from spreading and allows you to safely consume the rest of the potato.[4]
After you’ve properly stored your potatoes and successfully prevented rotting, reward yourself with your favorite potato dish and enjoy!
Root Hash Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Small Potato
1 Carrot
1/4 Cup Red Onion
1 Cup Green Beans (or whatever extra vegetables you have that are going bad)
1 Tbsp. Butter
1/4 Cup Water
1/2 Tbsp Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
Dash Chili Powder
1 Large Egg
1/4 Cup Cheese
Directions
Cut your root vegetables into small chunks (the smaller the faster it cooks).
Heat a skillet to a medium temperature.
Add butter and water.
Add cut up root vegetables (add other vegetables to your taste). Cover and cook.
Once the root vegetables are soft (10-15 minutes) add garlic, cayenne and chili. Recover.
After 10 minutes add 1 large egg and 1/4 cup cheese. Recover
Once the egg is cooked to your preference, eat!