HOMESTEAD HOW-TO
This happens because potatoes are tubers – a plant structure that can sprout and grow into a new plant. So, your sprouted potatoes are simply trying to continue their natural life cycle, even though they’re sitting in your pantry and not buried in the soil!
Sprouting is a natural process, but we normally halt it by storing potatoes so that they go into dormancy. But sometimes, despite our best attempts, sprouted potatoes still occur. The good news is that these potatoes don’t necessarily need to be discarded, so don’t throw them in the trash just yet!
They are packed full of starch which, when the conditions are right, provides energy to support growth in the form of shoots that emerge from the surface. These shoots develop into a new plant which produces more potatoes – one of nature’s incredible everlasting cycles!
Temperatures above 50F (10C) wake the potato from dormancy and encourage sprouting. Increased light levels signal to the potato that conditions are right for growth, leading to sprouting and greening of the skin.
Proper storage conditions are vital to prevent potatoes from breaking dormancy and sprouting. This can be really inconvenient, as it limits what we can do with them.
You may wonder if the refrigerator is a good option, but storing your potatoes there can alter their flavor and texture. This is because starches in potatoes convert to sugars at low temperatures.