Preserving peeled potatoes for longer periods of time is a common kitchen challenge. Trying to store them in the fridge or pantry can result in mold and spoilage, but leaving them out at room temperature creates an inviting environment for bugs and vermin. What’s a cook to do? Fortunately, there are several tried-and-true methods that allow you to keep your potatoes fresh without resorting to expensive commercial products which may not be as safe as they claim.
First, let’s talk about how to store potatoes
- Store your potatoes in a cool, dark place
- Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat
- Place them on a raised surface to increase airflow
- Wrap the potatoes loosely in newspaper or paper towels before placing them in plastic bags for storage
- Leave the bag open when you store your potatoes so they can breathe and stay fresh longer!
But why should you store potatoes?
Potatoes are often on promotional pricing. If that’s the case and you’re buying a lot, you’ll want to be able to store them so they’re ready for later use. This saves money because you won’t have to pay for potatoes at full price, and if you’ve previously peeled them before storing them, it eliminates the bother of peeling again!
How can I prepare my peeled potatoes for storage?
1. Make sure your peeled potatoes are free of grit, residue, and discoloration
2. Inspect the surface of the potato- if you see any bruised or brown spots, discard them before peeling your next batch
3. Slice peeled potatoes into pieces of even thickness after rinsing them thoroughly
4. Use a potato brush to get rid of any residue on your potatoes before cooking!
Should I peel my potatoes before cooking them?
Peeling is not necessary if you are going to be cooking them in boiling water. You can also cut potatoes into chunks and boil, or boil in a pot of lightly salted water. However, if you’re going to be boiling in a pot of salted water, it’s best to peel them before cooking. Peeling is necessary when the potato will be fried or roasted.
Just a warning though: Never soak peeled potatoes in water or leave them uncovered on the counter before cooking. This will only encourage mold growth and bacteria!
How do you peel potatoes?
Remember a potato peeler is one of those essential kitchen tools you must have in your kitchen. You want to find a potato that’s fairly clean for this process. So, if you have potatoes that have just been sitting out, or are rinsed with water, you will want to dry them off first.
The easiest way is to use a knife or peeler – watch this video on how to peel potatoes.
If they are too big to hold onto the ends but are also too small for me to handle, then I usually put them on one end of the counter and give it a good whack with the backside of my knife. After that, I can simply pull off chunks of skin with my hands.
How can I preserve my peeled potatoes?
If you keep peeled potatoes submerged in water in the refrigerator for about 24 hours, they will keep longer. Peeled potatoes left out on their own at room temperature will darken overnight, so submerge them in a bowl of water, cover with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate. Cut your peeled potatoes into equal-sized chunks before boiling them. This allows them to cook evenly and preserves their shape.
What other methods are there to preserve peeled potatoes for longer?
1. Freeze them! Just make sure you thaw them out before cooking
2. Vacuum seal your peeled potatoes and store them in a freezer to increase their lifetime!
My potatoes are peeled and stored, but I have so much leftover potato peel. What should I do?
Check out the ways that you can use leftover peels
1. Save peels for soup stock
2. Use the peels to make breading
3. Make a potato skin appetizer
4. Bake with them and add cheese on top
5. Add them to your favorite dishes, such as mashed potatoes or fried rice, for added flavor and texture!
Bonus tip – Make mashed potatoes with leftover peels!
Making mashed potatoes with leftover peels is a great way to save money and avoid wasting good food. Here’s how to make mashed potatoes with peels:
Step 1) Peel a pound of washed potatoes that have also been scrubbed clean.
Step 2) Simmer peeled potatoes and the peels in a pot of water for 15-20 minutes, or until they are soft enough to mash. Drain any excess water from the pot
Step 3) Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or hand mixer. If mashing by hand, make sure to leave the potatoes slightly lumpy. Season with salt and pepper. The peels themselves will add extra flavor
Step 4) Turn your mashed potatoes into Garlic Mashed Potatoes by adding 2 cloves of garlic that have been finely chopped in a food processor.
You can also add butter or cream cheese for extra flavor! Hope you enjoy your mashed potatoes.
Conclusion
Peeling potatoes is a chore, but maintaining your peeled potatoes can be even more of one if you don’t know the best methods for keeping them fresh. By following these simple steps, you can extend the life of your potatoes with relative ease! We hope that this article has helped you find new ways to keep those peeled spuds around longer.