The humble potato is always reliable. While other vegetables ride the waves of foodie trends (looking at you, kale), a hearty potato will never do you wrong. Filling, delicious, and full of nutrients: The potato is a classic.
Here are a few ways to keep your potatoes fresh and sprout-free. You might be surprised to learn you've been storing potatoes all wrong.
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1. Store potatoes in a cool, dark place
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If you're putting your potatoes in the refrigerator crisper drawer with the rest of your veggies, you're doing it wrong. Potatoes should be stored in cool, dark environments — ideally, 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with low humidity.
2. Cure the potatoes before storing
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Curing toughens up a potato's skin and extends the potato's storage life. To do so, spread potatoes out in shallow trays lined with newspaper. Cover the trays with a dark towel and let them cure for several weeks.
3. Store potatoes with dried herbs
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Herbs such as lavender, rosemary and sage contain oils that help prevent rot and decay in potatoes. Put herbs in a cotton muslin drawstring bag and store it with your potatoes.
4. Don't wash potatoes before storing them
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Potatoes stay fresh longer when they're unwashed. Simply brush off excess dirt before you store potatoes.
5. Store an apple with your potatoes
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Ripening apples give off ethylene gas, which promotes sprouting — so conventional wisdom advises against storing apples with potatoes. Creek Line House, however, has had success with storing an apple wedge along with potatoes.