When you’ve stumbled onto this web page after typing “how lengthy do candy potatoes final” in your browser search bar, we all know what you’re actually asking: Are the candy potatoes that’ve been sitting on my counter for weeks…okay? And what in the event that they’re rising sprouts or leaking an unspecified liquid? We now have the solutions you search.
How lengthy do candy potatoes final?
Like different root greens, candy potatoes are extremely hardy—they’ll final for 3–5 weeks when saved at room temperature. When you’re tempted to toss a semi-old candy potato within the fridge within the hopes of prolonging its shelf life, don’t. The US Candy Potato Council warns that preserving raw candy potatoes within the fridge will give them “a tough middle and ugly style.”
Candy potatoes ought to be saved in a dry and funky (not chilly!) place away from direct daylight—the fruit basket in your counter ought to do exactly superb. Publicity to air provides the potatoes room to breathe, so a bowl with holes, a wicker basket, and even an open paper bag is right right here.
As soon as cooked, candy potatoes will be saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Cooking and mashing candy potatoes forward of time is rarely a nasty thought, particularly across the holidays. To make this Virtually-Traditional Candy Potato Casserole for Thanksgiving, you possibly can roast the candy potatoes on Monday or Tuesday, retailer the cooked potatoes in an hermetic container within the fridge, then assemble the casserole on the large day.
Easy methods to inform if candy potatoes have gone dangerous
In case your candy potato is tender in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato ought to be discarded. One other signal that candy potatoes have taken a flip for the more serious is that if they begin rising stalky purplish sprouts. “When potatoes start to sprout, the growths have a excessive focus of compounds referred to as glycoalkaloids that may trigger a pointy, disagreeable, bitter style,” write BA staffer Antara Sinha and contributor Amiel Stanek. Not solely do these sprouts not style good, but when ingested in giant portions, they are often poisonous.
If a candy potato is rising some minor appendages, however continues to be agency to the contact and in any other case freed from blemishes, it’s A-OK to eat. Use a peeler or a small paring knife to rigorously take away and discard the sprouts, then prepare dinner the potato ASAP.
Easy methods to choose, clear, and retailer candy potatoes
There are a lot of several types of candy potatoes, their skins ranging in shade from orange to purple to ruddy crimson. Irrespective of which selection you’re purchasing for, search for agency candy potatoes with {smooth} pores and skin and no noticeable blemishes or tender spots.
Candy potatoes usually have a layer of grime caked to their skins. That is regular—they develop underground!—however you’ll positively need to give them rinse earlier than cooking. Rinse the potatoes beneath working water, scrubbing with a clear scour pad or produce brush to take away any grime or particles. Wash the potatoes simply earlier than you intend to prepare dinner them; introducing moisture too early will expedite their decline.
Want to make use of a complete bunch of candy potatoes earlier than they take a flip? Think about Candy Potato Fries or Candy Potato Wedges—nice alongside Tuna Melts, Black Bean Smash Burgers, and another sandwich beneath the solar. When you’re internet hosting, mix roasted spuds into silky-smooth Candy Potato Hummus; any leftovers make an excellent weekday snack. When you really feel a chilly approaching, get a pot of Really feel-Higher Rooster and Rice Soup on the range. Or in case you’ve bought Japanese candy potatoes or yams, minimize them into giant rounds for this comforting Obe Ata Stew, or wedges for these crispy candy potatoes, served atop a swoop of maple tahini.
On the sweeter aspect, mashed candy potatoes can rework right into a Candy Potato Loaf Cake, dripping with darkish chocolate ganache; traditional Candy Potato Pie, dolloped with marshmallow fluff whipped cream; or a showstopping Candy Potato Cake, layered with salted cream cheese frosting. All to say: You’ve bought choices.
