Sweet potatoes can be cooked in a lot of different ways, and they're full of vitamins and minerals.If you have some sweet potatoes that are about to go bad, you might want to cut them up before you cook them.You can take care of cut sweet potatoes in a number of ways.
Step 1: Place your sweet potatoes in the bowl.
The sweet potatoes can be peeled or left on.It doesn't matter how the potatoes were cut, they could be diced in large chunks or wedges.The bowl should be big enough to hold the potatoes without them extending over the lip.Make sure you have enough room in the fridge for the bowl.It will fit if you clear out some space.
Step 2: Put the potatoes in cold water.
It is possible to use tap water.Give the potatoes a stir to make sure the water gets in between the pieces.You don't need to add ice to the bowl to make sure the water stays as cold as possible.
Step 3: For up to 24 hours, keep the bowl in the fridge.
If you are going to make a big meal, you should store your sweet potatoes in the fridge until you're ready to cook them.If you notice that the potatoes are turning brown, start getting soft, or are slimy, you should discard them.Don't leave the bowl on the counter for more than a few hours.There is a chance that the water will get warm, which could cause the potatoes to turn brown.
Step 4: If you are going to freeze them, use raw, peeled and diced sweet potatoes.
All of the skin can be removed with a vegetable peeler.Cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch squares on a clean cutting board.You could cut the potatoes into wedges or fries.It is important to remove the skin from the potato when you are freezing it so that it doesn't get damaged when it thaws.If you have whole sweet potatoes that are on the verge of turning bad, this process is helpful.If you want to make your own vegetable stock, save your potato skins.
Step 5: Blanch.
The sweet potatoes need to be boiled for a few minutes.Carefully drain the potatoes, then transfer them to a large bowl filled with ice and water.They should be left in the ice water for an additional few minutes.Put them on paper towels to dry.The sweet potatoes are blanched to keep them from getting squishy.
Step 6: You can portion out your blanched sweet potatoes.
Depending on how many potatoes you need to save, use either sandwich- or gallon-size bags.Put in enough potatoes for a meal and squeeze out the excess air as you seal them.Having pre-portioned baggies will prevent you from having to break apart a large clump of potatoes, since the potatoes may clump together when they freeze.This is a good time to use a vacuum cleaner.
Step 7: You can store your sweet potatoes in the freezer for up to 6 months.
If you put anything else on top of the sweet potatoes, they will be damaged before they have a chance to freeze.It should take 5 to 6 hours for the potatoes to fully freeze through the label on the bag before you put it in the freezer.You can either write, "Prepared on xx/x/xx" or you can use it.
Step 8: Take your frozen sweet potatoes to the fridge for a few hours.
Don't thaw frozen sweet potatoes in the fridge before putting them on the counter.If you put them on the counter, they could develop mold due to the extreme temperature change.Take your sweet potatoes out of the freezer within 24 hours.They are still good to eat, even though they are a little softer than just-cut potatoes.If there is a lot of freezer burn on the potatoes, it is up to you if you want to use them or not.If you don't have time to thaw them in the fridge, you can use your microwave's defrost button.
Step 9: For up to 7 days, store cut, cooked sweet potatoes in the fridge.
Within an hour of cooking your sweet potatoes, put them in a container.If you want to store them immediately after cooking, you can put them in the fridge.If you don't have a lid on your container, cover it with plastic wrap.You should label the made on date on your storage container to remember how long they will last.
Step 10: Sweet potatoes can be frozen for up to 1 year.
You can freeze sweet potatoes that have already been cooked.Put the sweet potatoes into a bag, squeeze out the excess air, and pop the bag into the freezer.When you are ready to use them, thaw them in the fridge for several hours, then microwave them or cook them on the stove.To remember how long the potatoes will last, label the bag with the date.
Step 11: Don't cook discolored or smelly sweet potatoes.
Throw out your cooked sweet potatoes if you notice that they smell funky or are discolored with brown or black spots.If you notice that your sweet potatoes have freezer burn when you take them out to thaw, it is up to you whether you want to eat them or not.They are technically safe to eat, but may not be as good as they used to be.If you have sweet potatoes in the fridge, you should freeze them so you don't waste them.
Step 12: It was finished.