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Are potatoes supposed to be green under the skin?
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:38 pm
by High Lord Tolkien
I keep buying bags of potatoes and I find that as I peel them they are green under whatever color the skin is.
Take today, a bag-o-Idahos.
Nice and large with dark brown tough skin.
I peel it and there's a layer of green underneath!
Below the green is the nice cream color you'd expect a potato to have.
Is this normal?
I don't remember any green color before.
To me, green means not ready to eat yet.
Am I just being too picky or are they harvesting these spuds too early?
Just wondering.
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:56 pm
by The Laughing Man
Potatoes can turn green, yet still be firm and otherwise look fine. These green areas are a result of exposure to light, resulting in bitterness. The green indicates the presence of solanine, which can cause intestional discomfort. When the level of solanine exceeds 0.02 percent, potatoes can actually become toxic.
I have read that you are supposed to keep potatoes in the dark. If they
are exposed to light they will form a toxic substance under the skin in
a green layer. It was something like "selinization".
Potatoes are close relatives of Deadly Nightshade. Yes, green parts
of the tubers can form a toxic substance. All parts of the potato
plant, except the mature tubers, are toxic to humans.
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 11:06 pm
by sgt.null
just peel the green off, you will be fine. but of course, i don't ever peel the potato, as the vitamins and such are found in the skin. i fry, mash, whip, smash all my potatoes with the skin on. yummy!
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:43 am
by High Lord Tolkien
sgtnull wrote:just peel the green off, you will be fine. but of course, i don't ever peel the potato, as the vitamins and such are found in the skin. i fry, mash, whip, smash all my potatoes with the skin on. yummy!
I call that pure lazyness!!
But you're right, that's where all the vitamins are.
I just hate the texture and the taste, myself.
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:41 am
by duchess of malfi
I love baby redskin mashed potatoes with the skins on...with butter and garlic
YUMMY!
but it sounds like a definate no-go on any green areas!
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:32 am
by sgt.null
i like the texture better with the peels on. the inmates complained at first, but i keep pointing out the health benefits.
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:40 am
by Avatar
Texture of cooked potato skin puts me right off.
--A
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:53 am
by sgt.null
add more butter, salt and pepper?
otherwise without skin all you get is starch.
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:37 am
by Avatar
Not the taste, (although even that is a it sandy) but the texture. Nothing to be done.
--A