It’s easy to forget a bag of potatoes in the recesses of your pantry (out of sight, out of mind), or to buy a large bag, only to realize that you can only eat potatoes so many times in one week. So, how long can you store those spuds, and how do you tell if those potatoes have gone bad?
Do potatoes go bad?
Like all root vegetables, potatoes do go bad, though proper storage can prevent this for a long while. The ideal storage environment for potatoes is a cool, dark place like a cellar, where Russet, or white potatoes, can have a shelf life of up to five months. Smaller and more delicate varieties, like fingerling,Yukon gold, red potatoes, or new potatoes, have a shorter shelf life in these conditions, and will last up to three months. Refrigerating potatoes gives them the same shelf life as cellar storage, but the colder temperatures will convert the starch in the potato into sugar, giving them a sweet taste when cooking. Because of these taste changes, refrigeration is not recommended.
Potatoes that are stored while wet can easily grow mold and spoil very quickly, and so potatoes should not be washed before storing.
Storing potatoes on the counter may help you remember that you’ve got them, but will shorten their shelf life significantly. Depending on the variety of potato and conditions, potatoes stored on your countertop will last between two and five weeks.
Image used under Creative Commons from Keith McDuffee
Signs of Spoilage
After a while, potatoes will begin to sprout little growths. While these do not mean the potato has spoiled, they do indicate that the quality is beginning to decline, and the potato should be eaten within a week. The growths may be removed, and the potato consumed immediately.
Exposure to sunlight can cause green spots to form on potatoes. These spots do not indicate spoilage, and can simply be removed before cooking. The same procedure applies to dark spots, or bruises that may occur on the skin of a potato.
A sure sign that a potato has started to spoil, is that the potato begins either to dry out and shrink, or to become mushy, depending on the humidity of the storage environment. A strong sour or musty smell may also accompany soft potatoes, and certainly indicates spoilage. As soon as they begin to either shrivel or soften, potatoes should be discarded and should not be consumed. Mold spots also indicate spoilage, and moldy potatoes should not be eaten.
How to Store Potatoes Long Term
Fresh potatoes can be frozen, but their texture will change dramatically because of the high water content. Potatoes that have been frozen when raw, will likely only be suitable for mashing once thawed. However, if you need to save potatoes in a hurry, and plan on mashing them later, this is certainly an option. Peel potatoes and remove any imperfections, then cube into half inch pieces. Spread the pieces in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze overnight. Transfer the frozen cubes to an airtight container. If you have a little bit more time, blanching the cubed potatoes – boiling for two to three minutes – and then cooling before freezing will yield a better texture upon thawing. Frozen potatoes may be stored for up to three months.
You can also freeze some prepared potatoes, though the final dish should be able to be reheated. Frozen mashed potatoes, hash browns and french fries will freeze well, though potato salad (especially if it contains mayonnaise) does not freeze well at all. Frozen prepared potatoes can remain frozen for around two months in a sealed container, before the quality degrades considerably.
Frozen potatoes do not need to be thawed before boiling or roasting. If you wish to thaw them, place the sealed container in the refrigerator overnight. Frozen prepared potatoes can also be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. A paper towel may be placed inside the container, to regulate moisture.
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