Find out how to preserve sweet potatoes for long-term storage so you can enjoy them all year round!
Checkout this video:
Why preserve sweet potatoes?
There are many reasons to preserve sweet potatoes. They are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, they have a long shelf life and they can be stored in a variety of ways. Sweet potatoes can be preserved by canning, freezing, or drying.
How to preserve sweet potatoes for long-term storage
Once you have harvested your sweet potatoes, they need to be cured before you can store them for the winter. Curing helps to heal any cuts or bruises on the tubers and also helps to convert some of the starches in the sweet potatoes to sugar, which gives them a sweeter flavor.
To cure sweet potatoes, place them in a warm (80-85 degrees F), dark location for 10 days. After curing, brush off any dirt and store the tubers in a cool (55-60 degrees F), dark, well-ventilated location. Do not wash the sweet potatoes before storing them, as this can cause them to rot.
Sweet potatoes can be stored in a variety of methods, including in newspapers, in plastic bags, or in boxes with vents. Be sure to check on your sweet potatoes every few weeks and remove any that are sprouting or beginning to rot, as these can cause the others to rot as well. Sweet potatoes can be stored for up to 6 months if they are properly cured and stored.
What are the benefits of preserving sweet potatoes?
There are many benefits to preserving sweet potatoes for long-term storage. Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and delicious root vegetable that can be enjoyed all year round. When properly preserved, sweet potatoes can last for several months or even years.
Preserving sweet potatoes is a great way to enjoy them during the winter months when they are not in season. It is also a good way to save money on your grocery bill. Preserved sweet potatoes can be used in many different recipes, such as casseroles, pies, soups, and stews.
If you are planning on preserving sweet potatoes for long-term storage, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to select the right type of sweet potato for storage. Second, you need to cure the sweet potatoes before storing them. And third, you need to store the sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place.
Follow these tips and you will be able to enjoy fresh and delicious sweet potatoes all year long!
How to choose the best sweet potatoes for preserving
There are many ways to preserve sweet potatoes. The most common method is to cure them. Curing helps to heal any cuts or bruises on the potatoes and also helps to prevent spoiling.
Choose sweet potatoes that are uniform in size and shape. Smaller sweet potatoes will cure faster than larger ones. Avoid any potatoes that have cuts or bruises.
Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, but do not soak them in water. Place them in a single layer on a clean towel and allow them to air-dry completely.
Once the sweet potatoes are dry, you can store them in a cool, dark place for up to four months.
How to store preserved sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a starchy, sweet-tasting root vegetable that can be eaten fresh or cooked. Preserving sweet potatoes is a great way to extend their shelf life and enjoy them year-round. There are several ways to preserve sweet potatoes, including freezing, canning, and drying.
When freezing sweet potatoes, it is important to blanch them first. This will stop the enzymes that cause the potatoes to discolor and turn brown To blanch sweet potatoes, Cut the sweet potatoes into even-sized pieces and place them in a large pot of boiling water Boil the sweet potatoes for 3 minutes, then remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and plunge them into a bowl of ice water. Drain the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels. Place the blanched sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 2 hours, or until solid. Transfer the frozen sweet potatoes to freezer bags, label them with the date, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To canned preserved sweet potatoes, start by peeling and cutting the sweet potatoes into even-sized pieces. Place the sweet potato pieces in a large pot of boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the sweet potatoes from the pot with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels. Pack the prepared sweet potato pieces into clean jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace at the top of each jar. Pour boiling water over the sweet potato pieces, filling each jar to within 1 inch ofthe rim. Remove any air bubbles by pressing onthe sweet potato pieces with a wooden spoon or by tappingthe sides ofthe jar gently with a wooden spoon. Wipe rims cleanwitha damp clothandplace lids onjars finger tightuntil readyto processinwater bathcanner
How long do preserved sweet potatoes last?
Sweet potatoes can be kept for long periods of time if they are properly preserved. The most common method of preserving sweet potatoes is by canning them. However, you can also store sweet potatoes in a root cellar or other cool, dark place.
To can sweet potatoes, wash them thoroughly and then slice them into thick pieces. Place the sweet potato slices in boiling water and cook for three minutes. Remove the sweet potatoes from the boiling water and then pack them into sterilized jars. Fill the jars with boiling water, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top of the jar. Wipe the rims of the jars clean and then screw on the lids. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes.
If you are not going to eat the sweet potatoes within a year, it is best to store them in a root cellar or other cool, dark place. Wrap each sweet potato individually in newspaper and then place them in a box or crate lined with straw. Store the box or crate in a cool, dark place such as a basement or garage. Check on the potatoes occasionally to make sure they are not sprouting. Sweet potatoes can be stored this way for up to five years.
Tips for using preserved sweet potatoes
Preserved sweet potatoes will last for several months if stored properly. To maximize the shelf life of preserved sweet potatoes, keep the following tips in mind:
-Wash sweet potatoes before preserving them.
-Place sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place.
-Wrap sweet potatoes tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
-Check on the sweet potatoes regularly, and discard any that show signs of spoilage.
Recipes using preserved sweet potatoes
There are many recipes that can be made using preserved sweet potatoes. Some of these include:
– mashed sweet potatoes
– sweet potato casserole
– sweet potato pie
– sweet potato fries
To preserve sweet potatoes for long-term storage, follow these steps:
1. Cut sweet potatoes into pieces that will fit into jars or containers.
2. Boil sweet potatoes for several minutes to soften them.
3. Place sweet potatoes into jars or containers, leaving space at the top.
4. Coversweet potatoes with syrup, honey, or sugar.
5. Seal jars or containers tightly and store in a cool, dark place.
FAQs about preserving sweet potatoes
FAQs about preserving sweet potatoes
Can I store sweet potatoes in the fridge?
Yes, you can store sweet potatoes in the fridge. However, they will not last as long as if they are stored in a cool, dark place. Sweet potatoes should be stored in a plastic bag and placed in the crisper drawer of the fridge. They will last for 2-3 weeks.
Can I store sweet potatoes in the freezer?
Yes, you can store sweet potatoes in the freezer. First, wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Cut them into desired shapes and sizes. blanch them by boiling them for 3 minutes. Drain and let them cool completely. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 2 hours. Transfer to a freezer safe bag and store for up to 6 months.
Further reading about preserving sweet potatoes
There are a few different ways that you can preserve sweet potatoes for long-term storage. One way is to cure them. Curing sweet potatoes helps to heal any wounds they may have and also helps to prevent them from spoiling. To cure sweet potatoes, you will need to store them in a cool, dark place for 10 days to two weeks. Once they have been cured, you can then store them in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
Another way to preserve sweet potatoes is by freezing them. You can freeze sweet potatoes by peeling and slicing them, then placing them in an airtight container or bag. Be sure to remove as much air from the container or bag as possible before sealing it. Frozen sweet potatoes will keep for up to 12 months.
You can also dehydrate sweet potatoes for long-term storage. Dehydrating helps to remove moisture from the sweet potatoes, which prevents them from spoilage. To dehydrate sweet potatoes, slice them into thin pieces and place them on a dehydrator tray. Set the dehydrator to between 125 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit and let the sweet potatoes dry for eight to 12 hours. Once they are dried, store the dehydrated sweet potatoes in an airtight container or bag in a cool, dry place for up to six months