This is part of a natural mechanism, as soon as potatoes are stored in too hot a place, they sprout.
For them, it's an "awakening" process. The potatoes slowly start to turn green, and then sprouts appear.
They produce solanine, a toxic material that repels fungi and animals and helps them grow well. Solanine is present in the tuber embryo.
It becomes unfit for consumption if swallowed in large quantities.
To get a headache and vomiting, you need to eat 2 kg of potato sprouts! So the risk is low! Therefore, eating a few sprouted potatoes from time to time is not harmful to health.
How to Prevent Potatoes from Sprouting
Sprouted potatoes will be softer, less appetizing, and will have sprouts on the surface.
To prevent this phenomenon from developing too quickly, it is important to store potatoes correctly. It is better to give preference to a dark and cool place. A basement, cellar or garage are ideal places.
In addition, air must circulate around the tuber so as not to accelerate its germination. Therefore, it is important not to store potatoes in a plastic bag or airtight box.
On the contrary, a box or basket would be preferable. It is also not recommended to leave them in the sun or in the refrigerator, as cold and heat accelerate their germination.
Some old tricks for long-term potato storage have also been proven useful. This means, for example, putting an apple in the same basket.
What to do with overgrown potatoes
Even sprouted potatoes can be eaten. To calm down, it is preferable to remove the sprouts, as well as the too green parts of the potato, and do not eat too soft ones.
Use these potatoes to grow others! It couldn't be easier, cut the potato with 4 sprouts into 4 parts (each part with an embryo), carefully loosen the soil and plant them, leaving gaps.
Original ideas for processing sprouted potatoes
Potatoes are often more profitable to buy in large quantities because they are cheaper.
The result is sometimes sprouted potatoes. Here are some ideas for using sprouted potatoes in other ways!
Appetizing puree
There's nothing easier than making mashed potatoes, even from sprouted potatoes. All you have to do is add cream, nutmeg and butter!
Get rid of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator
Slices of raw potatoes, even sprouted ones, placed on the bottom of the refrigerator will help get rid of unpleasant odors.
Remove rust
If you rub the rusty area with half a potato with baking soda added, the rust will magically disappear!
To soothe sunburn
Potatoes, rich in starch, have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. To relieve sunburn, grate them and use as a compress.
There are many varieties of potatoes. Some are firm, others are loose. Early potatoes arrive early on the shelves of greengrocers.
New potatoes, for example, are harvested from late March and often herald the start of sunny days! Sprouted or not, they are easy to cook. Wash them before cooking, whether they are peeled or not.
Eat potatoes with salad prepared with onions, bacon bits, thyme, parsley, garlic, zucchini or beans. Also cooked in their skins, in crispy pancakes, fried or boiled.
Children like stewed or fried potatoes. Fluffy potatoes are cooked whole and served, for example, with lamb.
An idea for a festive Saturday evening: make French fries from old sprouted potatoes and serve with mussels! And for children, the mussels can easily be replaced with ham, bacon, fried or smoked salmon!
A fortifying winter dish is to stew cabbage with pieces of potatoes and add sausage to it.
For baked potatoes, it is preferable that they are not too sprouted.
Add old potatoes to soup or velouté.
Also prepare a vegetable stew from coarsely chopped potatoes. With peas and carrots you get a balanced and appetizing dish.
If your potatoes have sprouted too much, instead of throwing them in the trash, put them in your compost bin to enrich your garden soil.
Earlier we told you how to boil beets without odor.
