Zealous housewives try to buy the necessary products in decent quantities. They always have strategic stocks of cereals, pasta, and conservation. In addition, housewives in advance acquire tea and oil, many other products that will not deteriorate as a result of long-term storage. Some vegetables are also purchased for future use. The hostesses know that they have carrots, onions, beets and the most important thing for Russian cuisine - potatoes.
In this regard, the question of whether it is possible to store potatoes in the refrigerator or is it better to use another place to preserve the taste and other qualities of the product, always remains relevant.
Is it harmful to put potatoes in the refrigerator?
It is believed that the cold will harm the root crop if placed in a place where the temperature is below plus five degrees. If the indicators of the surrounding space in which the potatoes are stored fall to plus three or lower, the starch will begin to break down into sugar. The root vegetable will acquire a sweet aftertaste. When you are puzzled by the question of whether to store potatoes in the refrigerator, consider the temperature inside your unit. Too low temperature values spoil the taste of the root crop and release harmful substances. In general, if this vegetable is sweet, then it has been frozen and its use is considered potentially dangerous.
Folk experience
Having wondered whether potatoes are stored in the refrigerator, you can find that, despite the existing unwritten prohibitions, the vegetable is still placed in the refrigerator. For many decades, the housewives have been using a tray (the one intended for fruits and vegetables) to preserve the root crop; it was not heard that someone would die from its use. Therefore, such storage is very popular.
Allowed rules and regulations for safe storage
Is it possible to store potatoes in the refrigerator if the temperature does not reach very low levels? Of course, making sure that it has 4-7 degrees of heat, you can save a couple of weeks of potatoes in the department intended for vegetables. Because in the cellar during prolonged storage of potatoes, the temperature regime is kept the same: within three to seven degrees Celsius. And many generations keep their supplies in the cellars, without fear for their health.
Tuber preparation
Before storing potatoes in the refrigerator, it must be prepared. The very first thing to do is to sort it out. You may not have noticed minor damage to the integrity of some tubers. Or it may be that a couple of potatoes show a speck of rot or mold. This is really dangerous to health. Therefore, rotten root crops are simply obliged to leave the storage place. If diseased potatoes are not removed, mold or rot will multiply rapidly on neighboring tubers, ruining the entire supply.
Packing potatoes for storage
After the inspection is completed, the potatoes need to be dried at room temperature for several hours. Then place in a plastic bag and tie it tightly. Sometimes I put a few paper towels in a package of housewife potatoes so that condensation does not form inside.
Do not forget that spoilage of the product is possible even with all these precautions. In order to timely detect the beginning of decay, it is necessary to regularly inspect the contents of the plastic bag, remove low-quality elements.
Can I store peeled potatoes in the refrigerator?
We sorted out potato tubers for long-term storage. What to do if you had to peel a lot of potatoes. Is it likely that he will deteriorate before the moment when the hostess starts cooking dishes?
Sometimes we have to peel potatoes in advance, for tomorrow's soup, for example. Or it happened that we incorrectly calculated the number of vegetables, three or four potatoes of quite decent size and excellent quality were out of work. Do not throw away the good? Although, I must admit, many do just that. But why scatter products of good quality, if tomorrow you can put the rest in motion?
Potatoes are perfectly able to remain in your refrigerator for a day. But before you put it in the kitchen unit, you must remember that you must store the potatoes in the refrigerator and in the water. Without water, the tubers will darken and become unfit for food in a short time.
Step-by-step preparation of peeled tubers for storage in the refrigerator
- The peeled potatoes should be thoroughly washed in cold running water, removing all possible contaminants from them. Do it simply with your hands, without the use of brushes and other devices.
- We put whole potatoes in a clean container. If there is an urgent need (potatoes are not all included in the intended capacity), it is allowed to cut it into two parts. It is better to take a glass or enameled container. In extreme cases, a plastic container is also suitable. Aluminum utensils are categorically unsuitable for this purpose!
- Fill the potato dish with cold water. One condition is important here: water must hide all the potatoes. In case of a blemish, some parts of the tubers, remaining in the air, will darken and become unsuitable for future consumption. Of course, it will be possible to cut off the ugly, windy areas, but it is better to immediately pour all the potatoes completely.
- Cover the dish with a lid and place in the refrigerator. The next day, it will be enough to wash off the starch released from the tubers with cold water, and you can start cooking.
So we answered the questions about whether it is possible to store potatoes in the refrigerator and how best to do it.