Can You Eat Potatoes That Have Started To Sprout?

Sometimes you open your cupboard to find potatoes with little shoots sprouting from their surfaces. Before you toss them out, consider whether these sprouted potatoes are still safe and viable to eat. Let’s explore the safety, nutritional value, and best practices for eating sprouted potatoes.

Essential Highlights

• Sprouted potatoes can still be edible: As long as certain parts are removed and they show no signs of spoilage.
• Toxic elements may be present: The sprouts and green areas contain higher concentrations of solanine, a natural toxin.
• Nutritional value remains but diminishes: The potato loses some nutrients as they fuel sprout growth.
• Proper handling is key: Removing sprouts and green areas can make sprouted potatoes safe for consumption.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Understanding Potato Sprouts
Section 2: Safety Concerns with Sprouted Potatoes
Section 3: How to Properly Prepare Sprouted Potatoes
Section 4: Nutritional Impact of Sprouted Potatoes
Section 5: Storing Potatoes to Prevent Sprouting
FAQ Section

Understanding Potato Sprouts

Potato sprouts are little shoots that emerge from the eyes of a potato. They indicate that the potato has entered a growth phase, starting the process of becoming a new plant. Potatoes naturally start to sprout when exposed to light and moisture over a certain time.

• Sprouting can be accelerated by warm temperatures and humidity.
• The potato uses stored starch to feed the growing sprouts, impacting its weight and texture.

Safety Concerns with Sprouted Potatoes

Potatoes with sprouts can become unsafe due to increased levels of solanine and *chaconine, which are natural glycoalkaloids. These compounds can cause digestive issues and other symptoms if consumed in high amounts.

• Look for green discoloration, a sign of higher toxin levels.
• Remove sprouts carefully before cooking or eating.
• Avoid consuming potatoes with a bitter taste, indicating elevated toxin levels.

For more detailed safety guidelines, you can refer to the Can You Eat Sprouting Potatoes.

How to Properly Prepare Sprouted Potatoes

To consume sprouted potatoes safely, remove the sprouts and any green skin. While not ideal, these potatoes can still be reintroduced into your diet this way:

• Cut out any green areas, as they contain solanine.
• Ensure no sprouts remain before cooking.
• Cooking or boiling reduces toxin levels but doesn’t eliminate them entirely.

Nutritional Impact of Sprouted Potatoes

While sprouting, potatoes gradually lose nutritional value as starch converts to sugars to fuel growth. The base nutritional content, however, remains largely stable apart from this:

• Decrease in vitamin C levels may occur.
• Caloric content can diminish slightly within the sprouted portions.

Learn more about potato nutrition at Authority Nutrition.

Storing Potatoes to Prevent Sprouting

Proper storage is essential to extend potato shelf-life and prevent sprouting:

• Store in a cool, dark, and dry place.
• Keep potatoes in a well-ventilated container like a mesh bag or basket.
• Temperature should ideally be around 45-50°F.

Check out Storing Potatoes for more storage tips.

FAQ Section

1. Are sprouted potatoes poisonous?
   Sprouted potatoes contain solanine, a toxin that can cause harm if ingested in large amounts. Cut the sprouts and any green parts off before consuming.

2. Can you make mashed potatoes with sprouted ones?
   Yes, as long as the sprouts and any green areas are removed, mashed potatoes can be made safely.

3. Do sprouted potatoes taste different?
   They might have a slightly bitter taste if solanine is present but generally taste the same if the toxic parts are removed.

4. Does cooking destroy the toxins in sprouted potatoes?
   Cooking can reduce but not entirely eliminate solanine.

5. Is it better to use them for planting rather than eating?
   If potatoes are heavily sprouted, it may be better to plant them rather than eat them.

6. Do sweet potatoes behave the same way when sprouting?
   Sweet potatoes are different and have a lower risk when they sprout. Green parts aren’t toxic in sweet potatoes.

To learn more about what foods are safe to eat, explore Can You Eat It?.