Sweet potatoes should be kept in a cold, dry, and dark location, such as the back corner of your kitchen countertop or your pantry. Always carefully wash and scrub their skin before cooking them, and keep them enclosed in a bowl or basket.
According to the U.S. Sweet Potato Council, it is preferable to maintain sweet potatoes in a relaxed, dry environment with excellent airflow. If you intend to consume sweet potatoes within a month or so, you should avoid storing them in the refrigerator as chilling can result in a hard center and unpleasant-tasting flesh.
How to Store Sweet Potatoes?
There are a few ways to store sweet potatoes to prevent bruising or spoilage. Make cautious to avoid rinsing raw sweet potatoes before keeping them. Because more moisture is being injected during rinsing, this could result in rotting. Before storing sweet potatoes, wipe off any dirt with a dry towel.
Curing raw sweet potatoes for one to two weeks is another method of preserving them. To enhance flavor and sweetness, sweet potatoes are “cured” by being kept in a warm, humid environment. The sweet potato will develop skin throughout the curing process to prevent bruises or scratches. For the most significant outcomes, keep the sweet potatoes in space around 80°F and 90% humid space.
If properly preserved, cured sweet potatoes can last for several months.
- Sweet potatoes should be kept on the counter. Sweet potatoes can be kept at room temperature on the kitchen counter if you plan to eat them within a week or two. Keep your sweet potatoes out of direct sunlight if you can, and wait to wash them until you’re ready to cook them.
- Sweet potatoes should be kept in a root cellar. Each sweet potato should be wrapped in newspaper or paper bags. To lessen the likelihood of sprouting, put them in a cardboard box with an apple. Keep the parcel in a cellar or basement where the temperature stays between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures will make the sweet potatoes rot, while colder temperatures will cause the center to harden. Such storage can extend the shelf life of sweet potatoes to six months.
- Put frozen entire sweet potatoes. The potatoes should be thoroughly cleaned with a vegetable brush before being pierced several times and baked for an hour at 425 degrees. Before freezing them in freezer bags for up to a year, let them come to room temperature.
- Freeze sweet potatoes in slice form. With a vegetable brush, scrub the sweet potatoes until they are spotless. Sweet potatoes should be cooked whole in boiling water until just fork tender, drained, and allowed to cool. Peel and slice the sweet potatoes once they are cold enough to handle. On a baking sheet coated with paper, arrange the slices in a single layer. Overnight freeze, with plastic wrap covering. After they have solidified, place the sweet potato slices in a freezer bag and keep them there for up to a year.
- Freeze sweet potatoes after mashing. Sweet potatoes should be peeled and chopped before being boiled or baked till done. In a big bowl, mash the cubes while adding a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Once completely cooled, transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to freezer bags or other airtight containers and freeze for up to a year.
Store Sweet Potatoes in Separate Airtight Containers
Although it is ideal to consume it within 24 hours, it can be kept for three to four days in an airtight container. Though they should be made fresh and placed in an airtight container, cooked sweet potatoes can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Make sure the water is as cold as you can get it, and if the refrigerator isn’t hard enough, add ice cubes to help sweet potatoes stay longer. Sweet potatoes should not be frozen raw without first blanching them. Additionally, if freezing the potatoes, make careful to portion them properly since they will cling together if not.
Where to Store Sweet Potatoes?
Find a dry, excellent location to keep your raw sweet potatoes for maximum results; garages, basements, or cellars work well. Your sweet potatoes may sprout or begin to spoil if your location does not satisfy these requirements. It’s crucial to avoid washing your sweet potatoes before storing them if you want them to last longer.
Sweet potatoes stay fresh the longest when kept in the dark for up to 6 months. Sweet potatoes should not be kept next to other vegetables since they can hasten the ripening of different meals. Several variables affect how long sweet potatoes stay at room temperature, so it’s better to store them in a pantry to keep them fresh for 3-5 weeks. Additionally, sweet potatoes can be frozen for even longer storage or kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 months.
Freezing Sweet Potatoes
Since sweet potatoes have a lengthy shelf life, most people keep them in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. It is better to avoid keeping raw sweet potatoes in the freezer since they will deteriorate more quickly, and sweet potatoes or cooked yams can be held in the freezer.
Although sweet potatoes have a lengthy shelf life, you might want to consider putting them in the fridge or freezer to extend their life. Consider whether the sweet potatoes are cooked or raw when choosing where to store them. It’s recommended to preserve baked sweet potatoes or cooked yams in the freezer rather than raw sweet potatoes, which will make them degrade faster.
Because sweet potatoes are used in many Thanksgiving recipes, it is advised to freeze any cooked sweet potato leftovers. Your preferred recipes will last longer in the freezer, whether you’re baking honey candied yams, sweet potato fries, or mashed sweet potatoes.
There are many steps involved in freezing sweet potatoes, for sweet potatoes to last in the fridge or freezer, learn how to prepare and store them.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly store and freeze sweet potatoes:
Step 1:
Washing is the first step. Use water and a vegetable brush to wash and peel fresh sweet potatoes.
Step 2:
Bring to a boil by adding water to a pot and heating it over high heat. Place the sweet potatoes in and heat through until done.
Step 3:
The sweet potatoes can be mashed or thinly sliced. Never keep potatoes whole in storage. Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to the sweet potatoes to prevent discoloration.
Step 4:
Transfer the potatoes to an airtight container after they have had time to cool. Use Glad Press’s Seal to seal freshness and prevent bacteria and unwanted moisture when covering sliced sweet potatoes. Using a container like FreezerWareTM will provide simple storage for mashed potatoes. Your sweet potatoes will often last 10 to 12 months if you freeze them.
How Long do Sweet Potatoes Last?
Depending on how they’re kept in storage. At room temperature, sweet potatoes last for a few weeks to a month, and in the refrigerator, they last for about three months. Consider freezing them if you want to keep them usable for longer.
How Can You Tell if Sweet Potatoes are Bad?
Use your senses to tell if your sweet potato is past its peak. Could you squeeze it to start? If it’s fresh, it will be solid; if it’s not, it will be mushy. Discoloration, black or brown blotches, and strange odors are other warning indicators to look out for. Additionally, if your sweet potato has mildew or is dripping liquid, it is unquestionably past its prime.
The easiest way to identify a rotten sweet potato is by its appearance. Black and brown patches are a common sign. When a sweet potato develops these patches, it is time to toss this product since it rotates.
Can Sweet Potatoes be Store Raw?
Uncooked, cut sweet potatoes should be refrigerated in cold water. The potatoes can be stored for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container, but for optimal quality, eat them within 24 hours. Indeed the water is chilly.
Do Sweet Potatoes Need to be Chilled?
According to the U.S. Sweet Potato Council, it is preferable to maintain sweet potatoes in a relaxed, dry environment with excellent airflow. Suppose you intend to consume sweet potatoes within a month or two. In that case, you should undoubtedly avoid storing them in the refrigerator as chilling can result in a rigid center and unpleasant-tasting flesh.
What is the Healthiest Way to Cook Sweet Potatoes?
Compared to baking or frying, boiling sweet potatoes preserves more beta-carotene and increases the nutrient’s absorbability. Limiting the cook duration, such as boiling in a saucepan with a firmly closed lid for 20 minutes, can preserve up to 92 percent of the nutrition.
Should You Eat a Sweet Potato’s Skin?
Sweet potato skins may be added to most dishes and are safe to eat. They contain a lot of fiber, other nutrients, and antioxidants that promote a healthy gut, make you feel fuller and guard against chronic diseases. Keep the peel on your sweet potato if you want to receive the most nutrition from it.
Conclusion
For at least 24 hours, sweet potatoes’ water must be kept in the refrigerator uncovered. The chilly water better protects the delicate sweet potato meat. Your sweet potatoes are more likely to turn brown as you come close to the 24-hour mark. Throw them away as soon as possible because their hue is a sure symptom of softness and sliminess. For longer-term storage, you can also cook sweet potatoes into mashed potatoes.
