Can I use potatoes if they are green?

The one time you shouldn’t eat your greens.

potatoes-solanine

If you’re anything like us here at taste.com.au then you’re probably a potato fanatic. Mashed, roasted, fried – it doesn’t matter, potatoes in any form make our hearts sing.

So, if you’re also a potato lover then you’re likely to have a few sitting (temporarily) unloved in your pantry, likely turning a nice shade of green. While we usually think you can never have too many spuds, there does come a time when we realise that our potato-loving eyes are bigger than our potato-loving stomachs.

At this point, you’re probably thinking it’s time to chuck the potatoes in the bin since eating anything that has turned green isn’t quite appealing. However, don’t throw them out just yet because we have the answer on how to save your green potatoes and thus, save your money.

Why do potatoes turn green?

Food writer Alison Adams gives us the insight scoop on why potatoes turn green. She said: “It seems to happen overnight. What you recalled to be a healthy bag of potatoes has turned a sad shade of green. Chemical compounds that exist in small amounts in fresh potatoes increase when exposed to light, making the outer skin bitter.”

The greening is a sign that the potatoes are producing chlorophyll which is what gives plants a green colour but it also signals that, in this case, potatoes are producing a toxic plant compound called solaine. Solaine can cause serious illness in really high dosages but not to worry yet, “While accidentally consuming a little bit of the green part might make you feel ill, it’s not toxic.” So don’t worry about a little green!

Is there any way to safely consume a green potato?

If a potato is fully green, it’s definitely best to part ways with it, but a little bit of discolouration can be fixed! Alison says: “Peel away this [green] layer and the flesh underneath is safe to eat.”

Alison also recommends sorting the problem before it arises: “Store potatoes in a dark, airy place to stop them turning green.”

Other potato tips

Freezing potatoes

If you do find yourself buying a huge amount of potatoes and know you won’t be able to eat them all in time, then we’re happy to let you know that you can freeze potatoes!

You do have to do a few things before you freeze them but it’ll be worth it knowing you’ve got heaps of potato ready for anytime you need your potato fix. You can read about how to freeze potatoes here.

Cook ‘em quick!

While we’re suckers for a good roasty toasty potato, sometimes we’re impatient and want our potatoes cooked ASAP. Lucky for you, we’ve got a recipe to cook the classic potato’s sweeter cousin in six minutes. Top these speedy potatoes with all your fave toppings for a satisfying and quick dinner.

Originally published as Can I use potatoes if they are green?