How do you stop potatoes sprouting?

Quasar

Potato sprouts are poisonous. Not saying that you'll die (don't know though) but they are not good for you. Cut the sprouts out very thoroughly.

sashacat

you can use them, I do it all the time. I grow all of my own potatoes and have sacks of them in the cellar. Some of them are sprouting quite badly by now so I either save them as seed potatoes to plant at the end of March or pull the sprouting bits off ,put them in the compost and peel the potatoes.....they don't look very nice baked because you can see where the sprouts were.

goldentouch

Quasar wrote:

Potato sprouts are poisonous. Not saying that you'll die (don't know though) but they are not good for you. Cut the sprouts out very thoroughly.

Oh no Q! Now you've caught me cooking sub-standard ingredients

black-saturn

As long as you cut the sprouts off they should be OK. I've never heard of anyone being poisoned by a potato!! If a potato has a lot of green on it it might make you feel a bit ill and have the runs though.

Quasar

Oh no, it's not poisonous in the sense that it gives you immediate trouble, but I have read somewhere that potato sprouts contain harmful substances. I expect it would be a problem if you eat them regularly...

Stompa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine

http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/Naturally%20occuring%20toxins%20in%20foods%20frame1.htm

Stompa

goldentouch

''Illness and death have resulted when individuals consumed green potatoes and potato shoots''.

Awww, now what will I have with my steak and salad?

moggins

If they have just sprouted and not turned green as well then I normally just pick the sprouts off and peel them as normal. I've managed to reach 41 without poisoning myself or the family yet

comping_cat

I often use potatos that have sprouted, i just cut the sprouted bit out. I do know that you mustnt use green potatos, they are poisonous. My mum says dont use them at all if they have gone green, but i have been known to cut the green out and still use the rest.
To help potatos stop sprouting (so quickly) put a couple of apples in the bag with them!!!!

DSmiffy

Good grief I'm surprised I haven't killed all of us!!! I always use the sprouting potatoes, just pull off the sprouts and peel them. Still here to tell the tale!
Get 'em eaten, we never had all this palaver in the good old days, my granny would've probably eaten them with the muck still on !!
Tee Hee!!! :rotfl: