From Taste of Home · Lindsay Parrill · · 1m
Can You Eat Sprouted Potatoes?
Sprouted potatoes can be safe to eat if sprouts are removed and potato isn't green.
In brief
Sprouted potatoes can be safe to eat if sprouts are removed and potato isn't green. Sprouted potatoes are safe to eat after removing sprouts and eyes if they haven't turned green. Originally reported by Taste of Home.
Quick answers
- Can You Eat Sprouted Potatoes?
- Sprouted potatoes can be safe to eat if they haven't turned green and sprouts are removed.
- Why Do Potatoes Sprout?
- Potatoes sprout naturally as tubers storing energy for new plants, with eyes producing shoots.
- What is the key takeaway from Can You Eat Sprouted Potatoes??
- Sprouted potatoes are safe to eat after removing sprouts and eyes if they haven't turned green.
Can You Eat Sprouted Potatoes?
Sprouted potatoes can be safe to eat if they haven't turned green and sprouts are removed.
“Yes, provided the potato is still firm, has only a few small sprouts and hasn't turned green.”
Why Do Potatoes Sprout?
Potatoes sprout naturally as tubers storing energy for new plants, with eyes producing shoots.
“Potatoes are tubers, meaning they store the energy needed to grow new plants.”
Potato Sprout Safety
Eating sprouted potatoes can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea from solanine and chaconine.
“Eating too much can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, none of which are worth risking for a side of loaded baked potato salad.”
When to Throw Away Potatoes
Potatoes with long sprouts, soft texture, wrinkled skin, or extensive greening should be discarded.
“If your potato has developed long or numerous sprouts, feels soft or has wrinkled, shriveled skin, throw it away.”
How to Remove Sprouts
Rinse potatoes and use a paring knife to cut out sprouts and surrounding eyes before cooking.
“Use a paring knife or the pointed tip of a potato peeler to cut out each sprout.”
What to Do with Sprouted Potatoes
Freeze mashed potatoes, bake whole potatoes, or plant sprouted potatoes for new plants.
“You can freeze mashed potatoes, bake and freeze whole potatoes, or plant sprouted potatoes to grow new plants.”
In short
Sprouted potatoes are safe to eat after removing sprouts and eyes if they haven't turned green.
