Have you ever reached into your pantry to grab some potatoes, only to find the spuds sprouted little green and white eyes? Do you cut those tiny growths and eat the potatoes or toss them in the trash?
This common kitchen dilemma leaves many of us trying to figure out what to do next. Keep reading to find out why potatoes sprout and how to know when your potatoes are too far gone to eat.
Why do potatoes sprout
“Potato sprouting happens when a potato begins to develop sprouts from its eyes,” said Melva Zerkoune, a registered dietitian with Banner Health. “These sprouts eventually produce a new potato plant.”
Potatoes are living organisms. When they are harvested and stored, they are in a dormant (sleeping) state. But with enough time and the right conditions, they wake up from dormancy and start sprouting.
Are sprouted potatoes safe to eat?
“In potato storage, sprouting is undesirable because it leads to nutrient loss, reduces quality and can even promote the growth of natural toxin called glycoalkaloids – or more specifically, solanine,” Zerkoune said. “This is why controlling sprouting is an important part of storage to ensure potatoes remain safe to eat.”
The highest amount of solanine is found in the green parts of the potato: the leaves, flowers, green skin and sprouts. It is also present in the white part of the potato but in much lower amounts.
“When sprouts are eaten, solanine may irritate your mouth and produce a bitter flavor,” Zerkoune said.
Eating high levels of solanine can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, headaches, confusion and fever. The onset of symptoms typically occurs within a few hours but can be delayed as long as a day.
“Eating sprouted potatoes can also pose a problem for pregnant people, increasing the risk of birth defects,” Zerkoune said. “Children and elderly are also more vulnerable.”
How to safely handle sprouted potatoes
Here are some steps to make sure your sprouted potatoes are safe to eat:
Examine the potato
Look closely at the potato. You can probably salvage it if it’s firm and doesn’t have green spots. Toss the spud if you notice:
- Long sprouts: This is a sign that the toxin levels might be high. Toss it out.
- A green tint on the potato: This means it has high levels of solanine. This usually happens when potatoes are exposed to light for too long.
- It is soft and wrinkled: The potato has likely lost its nutritional value and may be unsafe to eat.
- A bitter taste: The bitterness is a sign of high levels of solanine.
“If you have a green thumb, you can cut up and plant chunks of sprouted potatoes in the ground for a crop of edible potatoes instead of throwing them away,” Zerkoune noted.
Peel the potato
Peeling the potato can remove more of the solanine, which is mainly concentrated in the skin and just below it. If the potato skin is removed, it’s safe to eat. For extra caution, cut away a bit of the flesh under the skin to further reduce any risk.
How to prevent potatoes from sprouting
Preventing potatoes from sprouting is the best way to avoid dealing with this issue. Here are some tips to keep your potatoes fresher for longer:
- Store in a cool, dry place: Avoid hot or humid areas. Store them unwashed in a cool but not cold (like your refrigerator) place.
- Place in a well-ventilated container: Potatoes need air to breathe. Avoid putting your potatoes in an air-sealed container or bag. Consider a wire basket.
- Buy in small quantities: Purchase potatoes in amounts you can use within a few weeks. This reduces the chance of them sprouting before you get to use them.
- Keep away from onions: Storing potatoes with onions can cause both to spoil faster. Keep them separate. “The gases released by onions can speed up the sprouting process in potatoes,” Zerkoune said.
Conclusion
When it comes to sprouted potatoes, if the sprouts are small (eyes) and not widespread, you can carefully cut off the sprouted areas with a knife. If the potato has large sprouts, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw it out. If you’re unsure, throwing the potato out is better than risking your health.
You can enjoy this nutritious vegetable without worry by storing potatoes and checking them regularly to minimize sprouting.
