Potatoes are one of the most popular cooking products. In winter, they require specific storage conditions. Potatoes are stored in a dry and dark, as well as a ventilated place that is inaccessible to the cold.
It is best to store potatoes in a basement, since there is no constant light there. Light is harmful to potatoes - they turn green, producing solanine, which is harmful to the human body, which can be fatal if green potatoes are consumed. Solanine causes food poisoning, affects the cardiovascular system, can cause coma and death.
Potatoes are stored very well in wooden crates, as they are ventilated. The crates should not be tightly pressed against walls. They should be raised at least ten centimeters above the floor.
Before storing potatoes for winter storage, they should be air-dried for a few hours. Excess moisture causes rotting.
Medium-sized potatoes are stored the longest, larger ones can only be kept until mid-winter, as their taste deteriorates after that.
Potatoes are stored at three degrees. At zero temperatures and below, the starch contained in potatoes turns into sugar. After cooking, such potatoes are unpleasantly sweet and porous.
At temperatures of four degrees above zero, potatoes sprout, and the sprouts that appear accumulate the harmful solanine. Sprouted potatoes need to be thrown away.
To protect potatoes from excess moisture, cover them with sacks filled with sawdust. You can also arrange a few beetroot heads on top of the potatoes.
Not only excess moisture, but also a lack of moisture has a bad effect on potatoes. If you store potatoes in an apartment where the air is quite dry, put a plastic bottle with the neck cut off in which you have placed a damp cloth in the crate or bag.
Drill many holes in the bottle. The water will gradually evaporate and will not allow the potatoes to dry out. In an apartment, store potatoes by covering them with a dark cloth, or by placing them in a dark cloth bag.
And if you have a yard, dig a hole, which is one meter deep. Pour the potatoes in layers, pouring dry straw between each layer. Pile five centimeters of straw on top. Cover with boards, pile straw on them. This way the potatoes will be preserved until spring.
If you love potatoes, be sure to try our sautéed potato recipes, delicious stewed potatoes or favorite baked potatoes.
Find out what potatoes contain and learn what potato juice helps with.
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