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My Potatoes Taste Sweet, What Caused This and What Should I Do?

Aug 5, 2020
Q: Sometimes my potatoes have a sweet flavor to them. Someone told me if they were stored in too cold of a place the starch breaks down and turns to sugar. Is that true? I have a 15 lb bag of russet potatoes that taste sweet. Is there anything I can do with them so I don’t taste that sweet flavor?
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How Do I Know When My Oil is Ready for the Final Fry Without a Thermometer?

Jul 31, 2020
Q: Hello from South Africa! How do I know when my oil is ready for the final fry of french fries (we call them chips here) without a thermometer?
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One of My Potatoes is Solid as a Rock and Won't Cook

Jul 31, 2020
Q: My husband just brought home a handful of the first baby potatoes and one of them is as solid as a rock and won't cook. What caused this?
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I Left My Frozen French Fries Out, Can I Still Safely Eat Them?

Jul 6, 2020
Q: I accidentally left a bag of frozen French fries out for three hours before I realized it. I put the bag back in the freezer, but was wondering if it still safe to use next time?
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Can I Eat Potatoes with Black Spots?

Jun 29, 2020
Q: I’m used to cutting the black spots off a potato, however, if I boil them with the skins on and mash them with the skins, I won’t know if there are black spots. Are they OK to eat?
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How Do I Safely Prepare Potatoes Off-Site and Transport to an Event?

Jun 22, 2020
Q: I am catering a dinner for my cousin and need to prepare roasted red skin potatoes and hold those potatoes for 6+ hours. I have nowhere to cook on sight for this event, so I need to prepare and cook off site and transport in my catering warmers. How do I keep the prepared potatoes from oxidizing and turning black?
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My Mashed Potatoes Were Left Out Overnight, Can I Still Eat Them?

May 20, 2020
Q: My instant mashed potatoes were left out overnight with no eggs, butter or cream (just water). Can I still eat these or should I throw them away?
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Should I Soak My Fresh-cut French Fries in Salt Before Frying?

May 15, 2020
Q: What kind of salt, Kosher or Sea salt, should I use to soak my fresh-cut French fries in before frying?
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My Potatoes Have Started to Sprout, Can I Plant Them in My Garden and Grow My Own?

May 12, 2020
Q: I have a bag of potatoes, grown in Idaho, and the "eyes" are starting to sprout. I live in Massachusetts and would like to grow my own potatoes in my garden. If I cut the potatoes up and plant them, will new potatoes grow?
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Can I Use Frozen Diced Potatoes in Potato Salad?

May 5, 2020
Q: Can I use frozen (then thawed) diced potatoes in potato salad?
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