Potato's turning black ...?

Question

I had parboiled a bunch of potato's on Sunday, cut them up and put them in a sealed Tupperware dish so that I could roast them during the weeknights. When I opened the Tupperware on Tuesday night, a large marjority of the parboiled potatos had turned or were turning various shades, of black.

Anyone know why? Are they still safe to roast and eat? Any way of storing them to prevent the color turn?

Answer 1

Reasons Potatoes Turn Black After Cooking:

Potatoes occasionally turn gray or dark after they are boiled; this color change may be caused by the conditions under which they were grown or stored. It's impossible to tell which potatoes will turn dark, but the discoloration does not affect flavor, texture, or nutritional value. Contact with aluminum or iron will also discolor potatoes, so cook them in stainless steel pots.

More reasons why cooked potatoes turn black:

1. According to the Idaho Potato Growers at http://www.idahopotato.com/faq/index.php

If the potatoes were stored too cold (below 40 degrees F) then they can turn black. Could also have black bruising from being handled (dropped) when cold.

2. If your potatoes turn black after they are boiled, you may be using an aluminum or reactive pot, so it's important to use a pot that's non-reactive.

3. While cooling, iron in the potato combines with other natural compounds, causing a grey, black, or bluish-purple color. To prevent this, after the potatoes are cooked and drained, stir in a small amount of lemon juice and keep them covered with a tight-fitting lid.

Answer 2

It doesn't mean that they are spoiled. Raw potatoes will always do that, there is a chemical inside of them that turns them black. My kindergarten teacher used them for painting in class. If you are going to peel a potato ahead of time, you will need to parboil it or somehow cook it a bit, so that it does not turn black. For instance, if you peeled and grated them, then put them in the microwave for a minute or so. If you are making potato salad, make sure they are boiled first before you put them in the refrigerator. Or just don't do them ahead of time. Your are right, they look really nasty when they go black.

Answer 3

Yes. Potatoes will oxidize when exposed to air, whether raw or cooked. You can probably cut the dark spots off and use what's left.

Next time you cut potatoes ahead, cover them w/ water and store in the fridge.

Also, you dont' need to parboil potatoes to roast them. Just cut them when you need them, toss w/ evoo, salt, pepper, maybe some herbs, and roast.

Answer 4

This is caused by oxidation, I don't think I would eat them after they turn black. Next time I would leave them raw soaking in water until you need them, not more then a week, and you have to change the water daily ( drain, rinse and fresh cold water).

Answer 5

they are no good,the best way to store them is too leave them soaking in water,but make sure you use right away also,you can wrap them with foil and place in the oven and when they are cooked,put them in the fridge and use the next day,either roast or fry,they'll cook quicker since they were baked

Answer 6

Try storing them in ice cold water in the fridge the night before. Make sure they are completely submerged.

Answer 7

if you have blonde hair that will naturally get bleached by the particular sun in the summer. There had been this guy in my class who also had golden blonde hair that has been a medium brown near the bottom. When he came back to school after summer vacation, it was almost platinum blonde!

Answer 8

Jet black hair. I have really dark brown hair and I believe dark hair looks better. I don't really like blonde hair.

Answer 9

NAw throw them away and next time keep them out of the frig till they are completely cold and then put a top on it and put in the frig. NExt time just make them let thme get all teh way cold then store them.

Answer 10

keep them completely covered add a table spoon of lemon juice when ready to use change water