During these times of uncertainty, many of us find ourselves trying to stretch our groceries as far as we can. We are using up our pantry items in creative ways, getting little hands involved in dinner prep, and feeling even more thankful for the nutritious food on the table. Another way we can extend our food at home is by being mindful of the way we store it. This is especially true for the humble, comforting potato.
Potato Storage
To preserve their freshness, potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a cupboard that doesn’t get opened very often. Potatoes that are exposed to too much light will begin to turn green and develop a bitter flavour. We also recommend storing your EarthFresh potatoes in their original packaging, which is made of light-blocking materials.
A refrigerator is not the best place for your potatoes because the cooler temperature can break down their sucrose into glucose and fructose, which can form acrylamide, a potentially harmful chemical, when cooked.
Although potatoes and onions taste fantastic when cooked together, they should be stored separately to avoid the release of moisture which could lead to premature spoilage.
How to Freeze Potatoes for Roasting If you find yourself with more fresh potatoes than you think your family will use up, you could pass them along to a neighbour or freeze them.
How to Freeze Red, Yellow and Russet Potatoes
1. Wash and chop potatoes into quarters or wedges. Leave the skins on to minimize waste and maximize nutrition.
2. Set a steamer basket in a large pot on the stove. Fill the pot with water up to just below the basket. Bring to a boil. Add potatoes to the basket and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until soft, but not fully cooked, roughly 10 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and set them in an ice bath for 5 minutes. Drain the water and allow to cool completely.
4. Arrange the cooled potatoes on a baking sheet or tray that will fit inside your freezer. Be sure to leave space around each piece of potato. Freeze for 8-12 hours. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.5. For roasted potatoes, toss with oil and salt. Roast from frozen until crisp. For mashed, boil form frozen until for tender. Add salt and butter to taste. Enjoy!
Batch Cooking
Another way to stretch your produce is by batch cooking and freezing pre-cooked meals. Your future self will thank you when you have an easy dinner on the table, with minimal dishes to clean afterwards.
The following EarthFresh potato recipes would work well for batch cooking. Simply multiply the ingredient quantities by an amount that is best for your family size.
Curry Chicken and Potato Stew
Roasted Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Loaded Potato Quiche
We hope that you enjoy the little things while at home, including getting creative and working with what you have in your pantry. Share your creations with us by tagging @EarthFresh on Instagram.
