Storing Potatoes – Prevent a Sweet Experience

Did you know there was a process for storing potatoes?

I remember when my parents had what we called a root cellar in South Dakota.  It was really just a hole in the ground where we stored canned things (like pickles, jelly, potatoes, etc.) until we were ready to eat them.

One year the potatoes got a sweet taste to them, they were still edible, but they didn’t exactly taste like potatoes!  We thought they froze in the cellar, but what really happened is that we put them into storage too soon.

When you store potatoes – first, make sure they are fully mature in the ground.  Dig them up after 2 to 3 weeks after the tops die down to give skins time to build up some protection. After you dig them up, brush off any excess dirt, then allow them to set for about 2 weeks at a temperature of about 45 degrees, with good circulation. 

After all of this, you can store them all winter in a cool, dark location (like a root cellar or basement), but make sure there is plenty of air circulation in the storage area.

Good Luck!  And may you never have to eat sweet white potatoes!

Add comment September 6th, 2006