Can you still cook potatoes with eyes?

By Leah Brickley for Food Network Kitchen The short answer is yes. Potatoes that have sprouted are still OK to eat, but only once you’ve removed the sprouts. Here’s a guide on how to remove them, how to properly store potatoes and when it’s not alright to eat them.

Do I need to remove eyes from potatoes?

While most of the time the removal of the potato eyes is purely cosmetic, you should definitely remove the eyes if your potato has started to sprout in your pantry. Potatoes are a perennial from the nightshade family of plants, Solanaceae.

Can I bake potatoes with eyes?

The sprouts taste bitter, just knock them off if they are small and bake or use as usual. Sometimes the emerging sprouts are referred to as “peepers” coming out. However, when they get this far along (see below picture), either plant them or throw them away.

Are the eyes of a potato toxic?

If symptoms are severe and persistent or if you are unable to hold down fluids, medical attention might be needed. Glycoalkaloid toxicity from potatoes can be minimized by only buying potatoes as you need them, storing them in a cool and dry place, and peeling them before eating them.

What happens if you eat sprouted potatoes?

Sprouted potatoes contain higher levels of glycoalkaloids, which can be toxic to humans when eaten in excess. Health problems linked to eating sprouted potatoes range from stomach upset to heart and nervous system problems, and, in severe cases, even death. They may also increase the risk of birth defects.

Is it okay to eat potatoes if they are sprouting?

If the potato is firm, it has most of the nutrients intact and can be eaten after removing the sprouted part. You can cut the green part off and eat the rest of the potato. When buying potatoes, pick firm ones and do not buy if they have sprouted or have a green tint to the skin.

What is the significance of eyes in potato?

Each tuber or potato has several buds. These are the small sprouts we call potato “eyes.” It’s from these buds that new potato plants can grow. So even though a potato’s eyes can’t help it see underground, they can help grow more potatoes!

Should I throw out potatoes with sprouts?

Potatoes are safe to eat, even after they’ve sprouted, as long as they are still firm to the touch, don’t look too wrinkly and shriveled, and the sprouts are small. There are, however, toxin concerns with potato sprouts, so you need to remove the sprouts and ensure that the potato isn’t too far gone.

How do you know when a potato is bad?

Raw potatoes should be firm to the touch with tight skin that’s free of large bruises, black spots, or other blemishes. If a potato has become soft or mushy, you should throw it out. Though it’s normal for potatoes to smell earthy or nutty, a musty or moldy odor is a hallmark of spoilage.