making potatoes?

Question

ok this is a stupid question but i am new at cooking potatoes. i bought a bag of potatos about 2 weeks ago, and i am wondering if they are still good. they have little tiny white spots in areas, i think there sprouts, are they still good? i am going to mash the so the peel and sprouts will be removed... but are the potttoes bad, should i throw them out? or is it still ok to cook them?? please help asap. so i can start my kids lunch thanks a bunch.

Answer 1

If they are off, they'll be squashy and smell nasty. Cut them in half and have a look. You will know because you won't want to eat them if they're rotten. If they're a bit bruised, just cut the bruised bits off and use the rest. The sprouty bits means they are getting a bit old but they'll still be edible. If they are in a plastic bag, I suggest you take what you need for the time being and put the rest into a paper bag and store them somewhere cool and dark so you can use them over the next few days. Plastic makes them sweat and they won't last if they're wet. Peel them, cut them up and put in a saucepan. Cover with cold water - and a pinch of salt if you are a 'salty' person - and bring them to the boil with the lid on. Turn down the heat and let them simmer for about 15-20 mins. They're done when you can stick a fork into them easily. Strain them, mash them with a splash of milk and a knob of butter or margarine and serve.

Answer 2

Those sprouts are called "eyes." As long as the potatoes aren't soft, they should be okay to peel, cook and serve.

Here's a hint to keep your mashed potatoes from being served too cold. Heat your milk or cream in the microwave before adding it to the potato mixture.

Answer 3

Something else that's important that you should know about potatoes: they produce a toxic alkaloid called solanine (potatoes are a member of the nightshade family). Solanine is always present in small quantities, but is harmless at those levels. But if potatoes are stored where it's light or under inappropriate temperature conditions, amounts of solanine may increase significantly to where it can be harmful. Always remove any green parts of a potato before cooking. And, as has been said, store potatoes in a dark, cool (not cold) place.

Answer 4

They are fine. Peel the sprouts (actually roots, called eyes) and to speed up cooking time, slice the potatoes. Cook and drain. Add butter, salt, milk, and black pepper to taste. (For lumpy, use a potato masher, for whipped, use a mixer.)

Answer 5

I am from Idaho and we keep potatoes a lot longer than that. You might want to keep them in a kind of cold place though. Not super cold, but colder than room temp. Also no the potatoes aren't bad. Mash em up and serve them.

Answer 6

Well my mums a cook so I know a fwe things about cooking.
The little white things are probably sprouts like you said so I wouldn't worry.
If they look funny then you may want to throw them away, but if you cut them off they'll be fine. :)

Answer 7

They'll be fine..... Next you can try this recipe:

***********QUICK BACON GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
5 or 6 potatoes
milk,
dash of garlic powder
butter
half jar of Real Bacon bits
salt and pepper
Peel potatoes and boil until soft, mash potatoes, add a little milk a dash of garlic salt, 2 to 4 tablespoons of butter. add a jar of real bacon bits salt and pepper to taste mix through.

Answer 8

Yes, unless they are rotten they are still good. You will be able to tell if they are rotting because they will be wet, mushy and stink. Potatoes keep for a long time. Just don't store them in your refrigerator, they get old faster in the refrigerator.

Answer 9

they should still be good if the White spots are hard and rubbery they are sprouts they should be OK they can last a long time

Answer 10

they will be fine
You want to surrender your potatoes to the trash when they are soft, green or have squishy black spots on them
The sprouting eyes wont hurt you, just peel them away