Monday, November 19, 2012

Preserve Raw Potatoes

Preserve your potatoes shortly after harvesting them.


When potatoes are first harvested, they can only be left out for a few hours before they start to change chemically. This chemical change leads to a decrease in vitamins and minerals, including potassium, copper and Vitamin B6. The taste and color of the potato will also change as it starts to rot. It is best to eat potatoes shortly after harvesting, since this is when they are most nutritious. However, if you preserve potatoes right away, they will last for a long time and keep the majority of their nutritional content.








Instructions








1. Keep your potatoes out of the sun. Exposing potatoes to light will cause their skin to turn green, which makes them toxic to humans.


2. Store potatoes in breathable materials. Raw potatoes last longer when they can breathe. Place the potatoes in a brown paper bag or burlap sack.


3. Place the bag in a cool, dark area with ventilation. Store the bag in your laundry room, garage, basement, or any area of your home that is dark, cool and has good air circulation.


4. Avoid refrigerating raw potatoes. Refrigerators are too cold and are not ventilated, which will cause potatoes to turn brown and alter their taste.

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