Hot Compost
12-29-2008, 11:14 AM
I have heard about & read about food companies putting chemicals on their potatoes to suppress their natural tendency to sprout and start growing when they are in the bag. That information was presented in the context of russet potatoes.
I asked the produce guy at G&G about yams & sweet potatoes, if they have a tendency to sprout the same way 'regular' potatoes do, and if there are chemicals used in their processing.
He said "no", and so my basic recipe for making mashed potatoes is to peel the russet potatoes, and to not peel the yams and sweet potatoes. And also to wash them before steaming them.
Also, I suppose I should add, this is for non-organic potatoes & yams. The $3.50 for 10 pound version of russet potatoes, and the yams & sweet potatoes that are about $1 a pound.
In the long run, I can "grow my own", so that's what I'll do. I vaguely remember asking at Harmony Nursery and being told they have potatoe (tribute to Dan Quayle) seedlings in February/ March.
In the mean-time, I'm wondering how concerned people should be about anti-sprout solutions and other pesticides on potatoes & similar vegetables.
Also, I usually soak them for about an hour in cold water before peeling them.
I have the impression that "there's nutrients in them thar" potatoe skins, so in the long run it would be healthier to
A/ grow your own potatoes, or buy organic, and
B/ NOT peel them, & eat the skin too.
Any information on this fascinating :): subject is welcome.
I asked the produce guy at G&G about yams & sweet potatoes, if they have a tendency to sprout the same way 'regular' potatoes do, and if there are chemicals used in their processing.
He said "no", and so my basic recipe for making mashed potatoes is to peel the russet potatoes, and to not peel the yams and sweet potatoes. And also to wash them before steaming them.
Also, I suppose I should add, this is for non-organic potatoes & yams. The $3.50 for 10 pound version of russet potatoes, and the yams & sweet potatoes that are about $1 a pound.
In the long run, I can "grow my own", so that's what I'll do. I vaguely remember asking at Harmony Nursery and being told they have potatoe (tribute to Dan Quayle) seedlings in February/ March.
In the mean-time, I'm wondering how concerned people should be about anti-sprout solutions and other pesticides on potatoes & similar vegetables.
Also, I usually soak them for about an hour in cold water before peeling them.
I have the impression that "there's nutrients in them thar" potatoe skins, so in the long run it would be healthier to
A/ grow your own potatoes, or buy organic, and
B/ NOT peel them, & eat the skin too.
Any information on this fascinating :): subject is welcome.