Can you eat soft potatoes?

Is there any food more versatile and more delicious than the potato? The ways to enjoy these humble root vegetables are limited only by your imagination. Whatever your mood or craving, there will be a potato dish to suit your needs.

Add its versatility to its ability to store for months (under the right conditions) and you have the recipe for the perfect kitchen staple. But are potatoes always good for you?

I think we’ve all opened a bag of chips, seen soft, wrinkled potatoes covered in eyes, and wondered, “Are they safe to eat?”

So, can soft potatoes be eaten? Yes you can. If they are not too soft and wrinkled, not too green, and not moldy, soft potatoes are safe to eat. If eyes or any small impurities start to appear, they can be easily removed with a small paring knife or peeler for safe cooking.

Today we are going to see if it is safe to eat those soft potatoes and when we should err on the side of caution and throw them away.

Can potatoes be eaten when they are soft?

The short answer to this question is yes, depending on how soft they are. If you’ve opened your bag of chips and find some that are starting to get soft, it’s best to take them out and do some more research.

If your potato is slightly soft to the touch, but does not have moldy spots or an unpleasant odor, then it is safe to eat.

You may want to cut or peel the softer parts, but you won’t get sick from enjoying your potatoes a little softer.

It’s important to note that they won’t be at their best when they get to this point.

I often use my soft potatoes to make a mash (soft potatoes are especially delicious as a topping on a shepherd’s pie), a baked or twice baked potato, or toss them into a soup.

As their flavor may not be optimal, I suggest flavoring them with a little butter, salt and some fresh or dried herbs, such as basil, sage or chives.

What about REALLY mushy potatoes?

If your potato has gotten really mushy and has started to wrinkle and shrink, the University of Illinois Extension recommends that you throw it away.

At this point, the potato has started to lose a lot of water and, while not dangerous, it will not cook well and may taste unpleasant .

While you should feel safe eating your potatoes slightly soft, you may have other questions about when it’s safe to eat them and how best to store them to preserve their best quality.

Read on below for some more tips on eating potatoes.

Can you eat potatoes that are green?

When your potatoes start to turn green it is a sign that they have been exposed to light. When plants, like potatoes, are exposed to the sun or light, they start to produce something called chlorophyll, which is green in color.

Now, chlorophyll itself is not bad for you, but along with the development of chlorophyll there is often another compound called solanine.

Although there is not a large amount in potatoes, solanine is a potentially toxic alkaloid that can cause digestive problems and inflammation in large amounts.

If you eat a lot of potatoes that have too much solanine, you may experience headaches, nausea, digestive upset, flushing, and abdominal pain.

The amount of solanine in a potato increases according to the time it has been exposed to light and the intensity of it. If it tastes bitter, it may be a signal to our taste buds that it’s not a food we should be eating.

Once again, Illinois Extension recommends discarding potatoes that are green. However, if you see that your potato only has a couple of little green dots, you can peel it and cut off those bits of green.

Most of the solanine is found directly under the skin of the potato , which means that most of it is removed after peeling.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks also states that steaming or boiling potatoes is a good way to remove 30-40% of the solanine present.

If you really don’t want to waste your green potato, this cooking method is your best bet.

The bottom line is that you should peel your potatoes and remove any green bits before eating them. And if your potato is more green than white or yellow, it is best to throw it away.

If one potato in the bag is rotten, should I throw the rest away?

Sometimes you’ll open your bag of chips and realize that some of them seem to have gone bad.

In this case, what you should look for is an unpleasant, somewhat foul odor or visible signs of black, green, or blue mold. 

If only one or two of the potatoes in the bag are rotten, you can throw them away and transfer the rest to a clean paper bag or box.

But if you open the bag and there are mold or liquid stains all over the package, then you should throw them all away.

Can you eat potatoes that have grown eyes?

Potatoes do not have eyes to take in the world around them. What they do have are small growths that are actually stems from which new potato plants can grow. Very nice, isn’t it?

Can you eat potatoes with eyes? If possible. Potatoes tend to sprout eyes when stored in a warm, dark environment, such as when planted in the ground.

Once the eyes sprout, you can use a peeler to remove them and then a small paring knife to cut the root from the potato pulp. Once removed, your potatoes are ready to be enjoyed!

A quick note: if your potato eyes grow larger than a few inches, it’s best to throw them away. Or you can get creative and plant some in your garden, in a planter box, or in a container on your patio.

Should I refrigerate my potatoes?

Many of the vegetables we enjoy on a daily basis stay fresh longer when stored in the fridge, so it makes sense that you’d be curious if you should stick potatoes in there, too.

The answer to whether you should keep potatoes in the fridge is a resounding no . Refrigerating potatoes causes the starches to convert to sugar, which can make your potatoes sweeter.

Although this may seem positive, it actually ruins the flavor and can cause the potato to turn brown once cooked.

Other vegetables and fruits that should not be kept in the refrigerator are

• sweet potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Tomatoes: Refrigerating whole, ripe tomatoes can affect their flavor and texture, making them mushy.
• cucumbers
• winter squashes
• Bananas: Refrigeration can cause the skin to turn brown prematurely and affect its texture.

How should I store my potatoes?

The best way to store potatoes is in a cool, dry place . Heat and humidity can cause them to sprout, producing those eyes. It also increases spoilage.

The best place to store potatoes is in a cool basement if possible, but since most of us no longer live on farms, we have to find a suitable place at home.

I like to keep potatoes in a dark drawer, away from the stove, where they still get some air circulation.

If your potatoes came in a plastic bag, you will need to transfer them to an unsealed paper bag or box , allowing air to enter the bag to prevent spoilage.

If you have an insulated garage or shed, it can be a good place to store potatoes for the winter, as they like a temperature of around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal preservation.

Don’t wash any dirt off the potatoes until just before using them, as this dirt can also help extend their shelf life.

If you want to get creative, you can store your potatoes with an apple. According to StopFoodWaste.org , the ethylene gas given off by apples can help prevent premature sprouting and extend the life of your potatoes.

On the other side of the coin, you want to make sure that you don’t store the potatoes in the same place that you store the onions.

Onions give off a gas that can cause potatoes to ripen and spoil, so find a separate place for these vegetables in your pantry.

Now that you know the best ways to store potatoes so they last longer and soft potatoes are safe to eat, it’s time to get into the kitchen.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your potatoes. There are many recipes out there just waiting for you to enjoy.