2024-10-27 21:07:00
How to store sweet potato. Source: spm
How to choose the right sweet potatoes?
Before Storing Your Sweet Potatoesit is essential to choose them carefully:
Aspect: Choose potatoes that are firm, smooth and without imperfections. Avoid those that are soft, wrinkled or damaged.
• Size : « Averages are ideal », recommends Vincent Arnould, head chef. Large ones can be fibrous, while small ones tend to dry out faster.
FYI
A good example of choice: a firm sweet potato, without bruises, with slightly taut but not wrinkled skin. Conversely, a sweet potato with soft areas or wrinkled skin indicates the beginning of deterioration.
How to store raw sweet potatoes?
Choose the right container: Use a paper bag or basket. Find the perfect spot: Place them in a cupboard or pantry, away from the heat of the oven. “ The closer to the ground, the better», underlines Vincent Arnould. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 15°C. Avoid the sun: Light and heat accelerate germination. Do not put them in the refrigerator: This can alter their taste and make the flesh tougher. If you plan to eat them within a month, choose a cool place outside the fridge.
As for the shelf life of raw sweet potatoes, allow 1 month.
FYI
It is best to avoid refrigerating raw sweet potatoes, as the cold can harden the flesh and alter their taste. For consumption within a month, opt for storage at room temperature, in a cool, dry place.
How do you store cooked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator?
Store a cooked sweet potato in the fridge. Source: spm
Use the right container: Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag with an airtight seal.
Store them in the refrigerator: They will keep like this for up to five days.
Respect the time limit: « Never leave them at room temperature for more than two hours », warns Vincent Arnould. This promotes the development of bacteria.
How to freeze sweet potatoes to preserve them?
Freezing whole sweet potatoes
Cleaning: Scrub them with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt.
Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork. Source: spm
Preparation: Pierce their skin in several places to prevent them from bursting during cooking.
Place the sweet potatoes in the oven. Source: spm
Cooking: « One hour in the oven at 220°C is perfect. », recommends Vincent Arnould. Then let them cool to room temperature.
Place the sweet potatoes in the freezer. Source: spm
Freezing: Store them in freezer bags and store them in the freezer. They will be preserved like this up to 1 year.
Freezing Sliced Sweet Potatoes
Cooking: Scrub them and cook them until tender (about 35 to 40 minutes). “Check after 25 minutes, because the size can vary the time,” specifies the chef. Drain them and let them cool before peeling and slicing them.
Pre-freezing: Arrange the slices on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, cover and place them in the freezer overnight.
Storage: Transfer the slices to an airtight freezer bag, label with the date and store in the freezer.
Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Cooking: Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes, then boil or bake until tender.
Preparing the puree: Crush the cubes in a large bowl with a little lemon juice to prevent them from browning. “ This tip preserves the beautiful color of the puree », underlines chef Vincent Arnould.
Freezing: Let cool completely, then transfer the puree to freezer bags or airtight containers. Store it in the freezer for up to a year.
How to dehydrate sweet potatoes to store them?
Place the sliced sweet potatoes in the dehydrator. Source: spm
Preparation : First of all, it is imperative to wash the sweet potatoes well under a stream of cold water, just to remove every grain of soil. Once this is done, arm yourself with your peeler and peel them carefully. The secret to even cooking? Regular slices 3 to 5 mm thick. If you really want to do things well, the mandolin is your best friend, but a good knife also does the trick.
Whiten: Immerse these thin slices in a large pot of boiling water pre-salted. Here, salt is not just a seasoning: it acts as a true guardian of the bright color of the sweet potato. Three minutes, not one more! The goal is to tenderize them, not to cook them completely. Immediately afterwards, head for an ice bath to stop the cooking. This crucial step ensures that your slices will maintain both their ideal texture and their appetizing color.
Drying: For perfect drying, the best thing is the dehydrator: it preserves nutrients and prevents overheating. No dehydrator? No worries, a low temperature oven (around 60°C) will do the trick just fine. Arrange the slices on a rack, this will allow optimal air circulation. 6 to 8 hours later, your slices should be very dry to the touch but still a little soft. The idea is to expel all the moisture without turning them into brittle chips.
Conservation : Once well dried, your precious slices should be stored in airtight containersprotected from ambient humidity. A glass jar will do the job perfectly. Be sure to store them in a cool place, away from direct light, which could damage them. Well preservedthey can last 6 months, ready to be enjoyed whenever you want.
How long do sweet potatoes last?
It all depends on how you store them. At room temperature, sweet potatoes last between two weeks and a month. « In the fridge, you can easily keep them for up to three months », explains Vincent Arnould. But if you want to keep them even longer, it’s better to cook them before freezing. In the freezer, they can be kept for up to a year. Using a dehydrator also extends their shelf life by up to six months.
How do you know if sweet potatoes are rotten?
Trust your senses to know if a sweet potato is still good. Press it first: “ A fresh potato should be very firm », underlines the chef. If it’s soft, that’s a bad sign. Also watch the color: shriveled skin, black or brown spots, or a questionable odor indicate that it has passed. And if it molds or oozes, there is no longer any doubt, it must be thrown away.
FYI
According to a WHO studysome molds on root vegetables can produce mycotoxins, which are dangerous to your health if consumed. If in doubt, it is advisable to throw away the affected potatoes to avoid any food risk.
The nutritional values of sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are low in calories and fat free, but rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, especially carotenoids. « What is interesting is that both the skin and the pulp are nutritious », specifies Vincent Arnould. Per 100 grams, they provide around 85 calories, mainly from complex carbohydrates and simple sugars such as fructose.
They also contain fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, as well as vitamins A, B and C. Their orange hue comes from carotenoids, while anthocyanins, flavonoids, give their color to red varieties. A 200 gram portion can replace bread, pasta or cereals, especially accompanied by a large portion of vegetables and a source of protein.
What are sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting root vegetables with short, thick tubers. Contrary to what one might believe, they have no relationship with potatoes or with yams, which are often a source of confusion. “ Many people confuse them, but yams have thick, rough skin and bland, mealy flesh, which doesn’t do them justice in cooking. », specifies Vincent Arnouldchef. Indeed, sweet potatoes, with their thin skin ranging from reddish brown to dark purple and their orange, white or purple flesh, provide an ideal sweet touch for recipes such as gratin or pie.
FAQ
How to store sweet potatoes for a long time?
To properly store sweet potatoes (just like potatoes), place them in a dry, dark and ventilated place, at a temperature of 12 to 16°C. Avoid the refrigerator, which can deteriorate them. Keep them whole, without washing them, and check regularly that no mold appears.
When should you dig sweet potatoes?
Harvest sweet potatoes 90 to 120 days after planting, as soon as the foliage turns yellow. Choose a dry day and intervene before the first frost to preserve the tubers. Handle them with care to avoid damaging them, then let them air dry for a few hours.
1730112468
#store #sweet #potatoes
**Interview with Chef Vincent Arnould on Sweet Potato Storage and Nutrition**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Chef Arnould! Today, we’re discussing sweet potatoes—how to choose, store, and preserve them effectively. Let’s start with the basics. What should we look for when choosing sweet potatoes?
**Vincent Arnould:** Thank you for having me! When selecting sweet potatoes, it’s crucial to choose firm and smooth ones. Look for a taut skin without bruises or wrinkles; these signs indicate freshness. Aim for medium-sized potatoes, as they tend to have a better texture compared to larger or smaller ones, which can be overcooked or dry out quickly.
**Interviewer:** Great tips! Once we have our sweet potatoes, how should we store them before use?
**Vincent Arnould:** Store raw sweet potatoes in a paper bag or a basket, keeping them away from heat sources. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 15°C. Avoid refrigerating them as cold temperatures can alter their flavor and texture. If you plan to consume them within a month, simply keep them in a cool, dark place.
**Interviewer:** That’s useful to know! What if we end up with cooked sweet potatoes? How do we store those properly?
**Vincent Arnould:** For cooked sweet potatoes, use an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days. Just remember not to leave them at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.
**Interviewer:** Good advice! I’m curious about preservation methods—can you share how to freeze sweet potatoes effectively?
**Vincent Arnould:** Certainly! For freezing whole sweet potatoes, scrub them clean, pierce them with a fork, bake at 220°C for about an hour, let cool, and then store in freezer bags. For sliced or mashed sweet potatoes, cook them until tender, let cool, and then follow similar freezing methods. Properly frozen, they can last up to a year!
**Interviewer:** Impressive! Now, what about dehydrating sweet potatoes? How does that work?
**Vincent Arnould:** Start by washing and peeling them, then slice them evenly. Blanch in boiling water with salt for three minutes, then cool them in an ice bath. Use a dehydrator or a low-temperature oven to dry them over 6 to 8 hours. Properly dried sweet potato slices last up to six months if stored in a cool, dark place.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating! Lastly, how can we tell if our sweet potatoes have gone bad?
**Vincent Arnould:** Trust your senses! A fresh sweet potato should be firm. If it’s soft, smells off, or has wrinkled skin with dark spots, those are signs of spoilage. Mold is a definite no-go; if you see it, throw the potato away to avoid health risks.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for sharing your expertise today, Chef Arnould! Sweet potatoes are not just delicious but also packed with nutrition, making them a great addition to our diets.
**Vincent Arnould:** Absolutely! They’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly carotenoids. Enjoy your sweet potatoes!
**Interview with Chef Vincent Arnould on Sweet Potato Storage and Nutrition**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Chef Arnould! Today, we’re discussing sweet potatoes—how to choose, store, and preserve them effectively. Let’s start with the basics. What should we look for when choosing sweet potatoes?
**Vincent Arnould:** Thank you for having me! When selecting sweet potatoes, it’s crucial to choose firm and smooth ones. Look for a taut skin without bruises or wrinkles; these signs indicate freshness. Aim for medium-sized potatoes, as they tend to have a better texture compared to larger or smaller ones, which can be overcooked or dry out quickly.
**Interviewer:** Great tips! Once we have our sweet potatoes, how should we store them before use?
**Vincent Arnould:** Store raw sweet potatoes in a paper bag or a basket, keeping them away from heat sources. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 15°C. Avoid refrigerating them, as cold temperatures can alter their flavor and texture. If you plan to consume them within a month, simply keep them in a cool, dark place.
**Interviewer:** That’s useful to know! What if we end up with cooked sweet potatoes? How do we store those properly?
**Vincent Arnould:** For cooked sweet potatoes, use an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days. Just remember not to leave them at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.
**Interviewer:** Good advice! I’m curious about preservation methods—can you share how to freeze sweet potatoes effectively?
**Vincent Arnould:** Certainly! For freezing whole sweet potatoes, scrub them clean, pierce them with a fork, bake at 220°C for about an hour, let them cool, and then store them in freezer bags. This way, they can last for up to a year. For sliced or mashed sweet potatoes, the process is similar—just ensure they’re fully cooked and cooled before freezing.
**Interviewer:** Excellent! It sounds like there are many ways to enjoy sweet potatoes over time. Lastly, can you touch on their nutritional benefits?
**Vincent Arnould:** Absolutely! Sweet potatoes are low in calories and fat-free, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly carotenoids. They provide around 85 calories per 100 grams and are a great source of fiber and essential nutrients. They can indeed serve as a fantastic alternative to traditional carbohydrates like bread and pasta.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Chef Arnould! You’ve provided some invaluable information on sweet potatoes today.
**Vincent Arnould:** My pleasure! Happy cooking!
