Potatoes can be stored last for months on the kitchen counter than most fruits and vegetables, but the green sprouts will start to sprout and lose their freshness and flavor. Can you know how to store them properly, they will store for weeks or even months also.
All you need to keep them fresh for a longer period like a cardboard box, paper or mesh bag, or basket. When stored properly, potatoes will last four to six months.
So, here are the 5 methods to store potatoes so they last for months:
Step 1 Root cellar storage
The traditional method of storing potatoes is to place them in a cool, dark place where they don’t risk freezing, such as in a cellar. If your home is not fully furnished, an unheated garage or a cold corner in the basement will do.
It is not enough to just throw the potatoes into the cellar; you will need to prepare them in advance during the multi-day curing process.
What are the conditions to sort and cure fresh potatoes?
The first step after harvesting potatoes is sorting them to separate the ones that are best for storage.
Freshly harvested potatoes do not have tough skin to protect them from rotting, so be careful when handling them to avoid cutting or damaging them.
You want large potatoes without large punctures or bruises, although small cuts can harden during storage.
Any overly damaged potatoes should be eaten within a few days or otherwise preserved.
Some types of potatoes keep better than others. You will get better thick-skinned red potatoes and other brown potatoes than tender fingerlings and red-skinned varieties.
As a result of this process, the skin hardens and the potatoes are stored longer. Although you can wash it first, the potatoes will last better if you let them dry and get dirty.
Also Read: How to Grow Organic Potatoes in Your Garden
Step 2 Rebury potatoes outdoors
Let’s say your storage goals are a little less ambitious and you just want your potato crop to last until late fall. In such a case, an easy way to preserve is to put the potatoes back into the ground immediately after harvest.
Until the last late fall, if you want to store your potato harvest. Dig a trench about 6 cm deep, place the potatoes on the bottom, cover with loose soil and straw or folded newspaper to cover the rain. This keeps the potato very cool until you dig it up in the fall, and it will start to rot if you let it hold onto the dying plant for a few more months.
Step 3 Slice and Blanche potatoes for freezer storage
After peeling and slicing, raw potatoes quickly discolor in the air because they contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, which reacts with oxygen to give the flesh a gray or brown color. You can prevent discoloration by applying a layer of water to the peeled and cut slices and refrigerating them before use. Now they can absorb too much.
For longer storage, consider vacuum packaging, a method in which all air is removed from the packaging and sealed up to a week in the refrigerator.
Step 4 Pressures can potatoes
Your potatoes can also be store on a long-term basis, independent of the refrigerator. You will need to use pressurized cans as water cans cannot reach the high temperatures required for safe storage.
Mason’s jar can store about 20 pounds of potatoes, and salt to taste. Peel the potatoes and remove the eyes, then halve and place in a large bowl filled with cold water. Boil a pot of water, then blanch it three times, remove the potatoes and rinse them to remove the starch before placing the potato balls in a sterilized glass jar.
Fill them with hot water, leaving a distance of 2.5 cm between the edges. You can add about a teaspoon of salt per liter if you like. Clean the rim before putting on a clean ring and cap, and the pressure can be 10 pounds for forty minutes.
Step 5 Dehydrate for potato flakes
If you’re willing to put in the effort as early as possible, you can save your potato plants almost indefinitely by dehydrating them into flavourful flakes. Wash and peel the potatoes first before cooking them on the stovetop until they are easy to cut with a knife.
Blender is better!
Let the water cool and then mash the potatoes directly in the water, use a stand mixer to blend until smooth, or use a hand blender to mash the potatoes directly into the pot and then gently place the potatoes in dehydrating foil. The thinner the layers, the faster they dry.
Set the temperature to 140 degrees and after about 12 hours check if the potato pieces are dry. The potatoes are ready when they are broken, not bent, but be patient. The whole process can take 36 hours or more. Once dry, grind it into a powder by placing it in a food processor and placing it in an airtight container.
You can spice them up by making mashed potatoes. Put a tablespoon of butter in 2/3 cup water and bring to a boil before turning off the heat and adding ¼ cup milk and 2/3 cup flour. Moisten the potatoes, add butter or milk to taste.
Eating fresh potatoes is equally enjoyable, and you will surely appreciate your efforts even more if you can continue to enjoy your harvest in the middle of winter. Store potatoes properly and they can last for a long time.
Also Read: How to Grow Potatoes in Tires?
Conclusion
Knowing how best to store potatoes can extend their shelf life and reduce food waste. Raw potatoes store in a cool, dark place with good air circulation, and not in the refrigerator.
Avoid browning of slices and skins or vacuum sealing. Boiled potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Home-grown potatoes should be briefly stored at higher temperatures and higher humidity before long-term storage. Regardless! How they are stored potatoes that will last longer if they are fresh and healthy when purchased, so look for tubers that are firm, smooth, undamaged, and free from sprouting.