How and how much can you store peeled potatoes at home

Many people are interested in the question of how to store peeled potatoes. This vegetable can be stored whole or chopped in the fridge or freezer. The correct choice of temperature conditions and competent preparation of the product for storage allow you to avoid darkening and spoilage. In this case, it is worth considering the main recommendations of specialists.

Features of storage of peeled potatoes

Storing peeled potatoes has many features. Usually people try to use the product right away. However, there are situations in which a peeled vegetable is required:

• to facilitate the cooking process, many housewives make preparations;
• the potatoes were peeled for cooking, but there were plenty of them.

In any case, it is worth getting acquainted with the storage conditions for potatoes so that the product does not become unusable. First of all, it is important to remember that staying the peeled vegetable in the fresh air will cause it to darken. A dry crust may appear on the surface of the product.

That is why, immediately after cleaning, the tuber should be placed in a bowl of water. Thanks to this, it will be possible to retain its color and taste. It is advisable to keep the product in this state for a maximum of several hours.

If you plan to keep the tuber in water, it is not recommended to cut it into small fragments in advance. It is best to leave root vegetables intact. They must be cut into small pieces before cooking. With an earlier procedure, the vegetable will lose its beneficial qualities, although its taste will remain.

How is it stored in production

Potatoes are often used in a production environment. It is used in large quantities for making various dishes. For this, different storage methods are used.

Treatment with special substances

The main substance used to process vegetables is sodium bisulfite. This element helps to preserve the enzymatic components from destruction. After the procedure, the roots do not change color and do not differ from recently cleaned ones.

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This storage method helps to store the vegetable in 2 days. In this case, the temperature should be +7 degrees. It is recommended to rinse the potatoes well before cooking. To do this, it is worth changing the water several times.

Modified atmosphere storage

With this method, it is recommended to fill the bags with vegetables and then squeeze the air out of them.Instead, a nitrogen and carbon dioxide composition is pumped into the bags. The substance prevents the development of bacterial microorganisms that affect the taste and color of the product. It should be stored at a temperature of +3 degrees. Thanks to this, it will retain its freshness for up to 20 days.

Use vacuum packaging

To begin with, the bags must be filled with peeled potatoes. Then, using a special pump, pump air out of them. This technique slows down the oxidation processes of the substances present in the fruit. The shelf life is 18 days. It is recommended to keep it at a temperature of +3 degrees.

How to stay home

In the case of cooking potatoes at home, you can use other more affordable methods.

Cold water

It is recommended to put peeled root vegetables in cold water. In this way, the potatoes should not be stored for more than 4 hours. With prolonged stay in water, the purified product loses the main amount of useful elements.

Food bags

After peeling the potatoes, they should be placed in a plastic bag, from which it is recommended to remove as much air as possible. The prepared package can be stored in the refrigerator. In this way, it will be possible to keep the root crops for 1 day.

Frozen

If you need long-term storage of the vegetable, you can freeze it. The product is placed in the freezer as a whole or cut into pieces.

Entirely

To freeze whole potatoes, place the tubers in a bag. It is recommended to tie it. Put the prepared package in the freezer. However, you must first ensure that the bag is securely attached. It must not allow oxygen to pass. Prepared potatoes can be cooked without defrosting.To do this, it is recommended to immerse it in boiling water, salting it.

In pieces

To store chopped potatoes for a long time, you need to use cling film. To do this, it is recommended to perform the following actions:

• wash the peeled tubers thoroughly to remove starch;
• dry the potatoes with a towel;
• cut the vegetable into cubes or slices;
• wrap in plastic;
• put in the freezer.

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The prepared vegetable does not need to be thawed. To cook fried potatoes, it is enough to put the slices in a preheated frying pan, grease it beforehand with oil. If you plan to boil potatoes, you need to put them in salted boiling water.

Boiling water

In this case, it is recommended to pour over the prepared semi-finished product with boiling water. This will help protect the top layer of the potato from browning. This effect can be achieved through high temperature treatment. The prepared product can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Choose a method for the time frame required

It is recommended to choose a method based on the expected storage time. To preserve the maximum taste and nutritional characteristics of potatoes, it is necessary to follow simple rules.

A few hours

If cooking is delayed for 3-4 hours, just peel the required amount of potatoes and put them in a bowl of cold water.

The day before the next day

If you plan to cook a dish of potatoes for breakfast, you can peel the tubers in the evening and fill it with fresh water. It is recommended to put the prepared product in the refrigerator.

For a day

To do this, the semi-finished product must be put in the refrigerator in a bag or dish with water. The liquid should completely cover the vegetable. If you plan to store the product in a sachet, it is important to assess its tightness. It is also permissible to scald the tubers with boiling water. Once the vegetables have cooled, you can place them in the refrigerator.

For a long time

For long-term storage of the vegetable, it is recommended to freeze it. If it is necessary to prepare a dish, the product does not need to be thawed. It is allowed to immediately put it in boiling water or heated fat. You should not thaw root vegetables in the microwave.

How to determine the suitability of a product

If the conditions are not respected, the roots can deteriorate. It will be possible to identify it by the state of the tubers and the water in which they are found:

1. If the water has acquired a cloudy consistency, this indicates the release of starch from the product. This is considered a variant of the standard.
2. If air bubbles form in a container with water, this indicates the start of fermentation. At this stage, the useful elements disintegrate.
3. If the tubers acquire a soft, slippery texture and an unpleasant aroma, this indicates their spoilage.

General storage rules

In order not to have to store potatoes in the refrigerator, it is recommended to use them after peeling them. If such a need nevertheless arises, the following rules should be observed:

1. It is recommended not to cut the tubers, but to leave them intact. This will preserve a large amount of nutrients.
2. After cleaning, it is recommended to wash each root vegetable and place it in water. You can also add a peeled onion, a lemon wedge or a little citric acid.
3. When freezing, peeled potatoes should be placed in bags. The vegetable should not be frozen a second time.

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Common Mistakes

Roots improperly prepared for storage can quickly deteriorate. Therefore, before preparing a large amount of the product, it is worth making a test shot. Common freezing problems include:

• the vegetable gives off too much moisture;
• the potatoes are covered with a crust of ice cream.

This indicates that the pieces were improperly dried. Before freezing, it is worth carefully blotting the potatoes in order to remove as much liquid as possible from its surface.

There is also a risk of the following problems:

• if the potatoes have turned gray in the freezer, this variety must be blanched;
• if the vegetable has acquired a loose texture, this indicates a high starch content - such a product must be soaked in water.

Experts advise to follow the rules for storing frozen vegetables. It is not recommended to thaw them again. It is important to store potatoes in separate bags, on which it is recommended to indicate the date of harvest. Temperature conditions are also of great importance.

Additional tips and tricks

To keep peeled potatoes fresh for a long time, you should focus on the following features:

1. To prevent darkening of the vegetable, it must be placed in a bowl of water. It is allowed to do this for 4 hours.
2. To increase the shelf life by 1-2 days, the tubers should be refrigerated. This must be done in a container of water.
3. Instead of low, it is allowed to use high temperature. To do this, pour boiling water over the potatoes.This will help prevent oxidation.
4. If desired, it is permissible to purchase a vacuum pump and pack the food yourself in an airtight container.
5. It is allowed to store potatoes in the freezer. It should be done in one package.
6. Each peeled vegetable can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the freezer. This method is suitable for small amounts of food. However, after thawing, potatoes may taste sweet.

Peeled potatoes can be stored in different ways. This is done with cold water. You can also put the vegetable in the fridge or freezer.