Sprouting Potatoes Got You Down? Here’s A Solution!

Sprouting potatoes are a real pain.

I buy ten pound bags for just the two of us. (Yes…my Irish roots are showing!) And even though I serve potatoes at nearly every evening meal I often find some of those spuds sprouting before I can use them all up. But recently I think I’ve solved that problem…or at least slowed down the process.

First of all, let me share some potato storage tips.

• Never store potatoes in the refrigerator! The cold temperature will turn the potato’s starch into sugar. That will leave you with a sweet, gritty spud. Ugh!
• Do store them in a cool, dark place! In my Heartland kitchen I dump that ten pound bag of Irish goodness into a wire basket to allow plenty of air circulation and I keep the basket behind closed doors in my kitchen cupboard pantry. And in my Florida kitchen I store them scattered loosely in a basket.

Even with my best storage practices I have been sad to find sprouts and a shriveled up spud or two before I can use them all up. But ever since I read about this trick my spuds look fresh as a daisy every time I reach for some.

My new trick?

Scatter heads of garlic in with the potatoes!

And before you ask…Yes..I do use up that much garlic! And the good news? I’ve never seen a vampire anywhere near my kitchen!

I started doing this about three weeks ago, and even in the humidity and heat of South Florida there is absolutely no sprouting going on in that basket!

In the past I have thrown those garlic heads in the separate basket I have for my onions. (Do not refrigerate them either!) But if storing them in my basket of spuds keeps them pristine I will simply aim for the spud basket instead.

Give it a try. And let me know how it goes for you!

XOXO
Meemaw