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The IPC office is closed for the holiday but don't fear… With 939 posts, chances are your holiday mashed potato questions have probably already been answered! Keywords that might help you find the answers you’re looking for include: ahead, group, advance, and yield.

If you're looking specifically for Mashed Potato information, make sure to visit our All Things Mashed Potatoes page which has everything you need to know about preparing perfect mashed potatoes.

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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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Do I Need to Wash My Potatoes with Soap?

Apr 9, 2020
Q: Last night, I washed our bakers, scrubbed them with a vegetable brush and water, and then plopped them into dish soap and water bath for 20 seconds. This was at advice of a doctor video I saw two days ago. Then, this morning, I read not to use anything but water, What do you recommend?
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