This can be a good thing for those with blood sugar issues, since it reduces the glycemic index by about 25% and causes a much smaller spike in blood sugar after eating ( 23, 24).

No matter what tool I try and use for this, I always end up jabbing the potatoes, rendering them useless for long term storage. So instead, my knees hit the ground and my hands dive into the soil, fingers pulling the spuds from their nesting ground. Consider it sweat equity in your culinary future. 2. Let the potatoes dry in the sun for a day. The refrigerator is out, because temperatures below 40°F (4°C) trigger the conversion of starches to sugars in the stored spuds, which makes them darken when cooked. Even worse, what old timers called “sugared potatoes” form carcinogenic compounds when cooked at high temperatures. Let’s not go there. Not all potatoes are created equal. To enjoy the longest shelf life, make sure to select these potato varieties available at your local grocery stores: Potatoes must be kept in a cool dark place, otherwise the light will cause them to photosynthesize and – you guessed it – sprout. Plus, the temperature must be below 10°C. So, if you want your spuds to stay in tip-top condition, we recommend popping them in a paper bag and stashing them away in a dark place of your choosing: a porch cupboard or garden shed are all great options, and there’s always the fridge (if you’ve got the space). How to keep potatoes from sprouting

Storing potatoes

When exposed to freezing temperatures, the water inside potatoes expands and forms crystals that break down the cell wall structures. This makes them mushy and unusable when defrosted ( 13). If the skin starts to sag, the flesh feels squidgy (or is even wet to touch) this is a surefire sign these potatoes are long past their best. No sprouting: Sprouts are one of the first indicators of spoilage, so avoid purchasing any that have already sprouted.

Cooking and cooling also increase the formation of resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that humans cannot digest and absorb.After all, there's nothing worse than reaching for Ree Drummond's favorite crispy crash hot potato recipe only to find that your spuds are green and sprouted. Or when the hankering for cheese fries strikes and you can't find a fresh potato in sight! If you know how to store potatoes, you can extend their shelf life for as long as possible. (Bonus: Storing them properly helps retain their vitamin content, too!)

Fun fact: Potatoes don’t actually need soil to sprout—they just need favorable environmental conditions. So, if you keep your potatoes somewhere warm and they have access to moisture, they will joyously begin to spread their sprouts and grow. The more sprouts that grow, the more depleted their nutritional value becomes. Why do potatoes turn green?Never wash potatoes before storage. Moisture can cause mould growth which will lead to spoilage. Just brush off the excess dirt. Inspect each one When warmer than their ideal storage temperature, potatoes will start to sprout, but colder isn’t necessarily better either. In On Food and Cooking, Harold McGee explains that when kept at colder temperatures (i.e. your refrigerator), “their metabolism shifts in a complicated way that results in the breakdown of some starch to sugars.” This means potatoes stored in the refrigerator will taste sweeter over time, and when cooked they are more likely to come out an unappetizing shade of brown. Signs That Potatoes Have Gone Bad