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5
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Posted:
Sep 5, 2008 8:33 PM
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Yes, actually I have heard of a root cellar. However, where I live we are so close to the water IF anyone has a basement of any sort, it is too damp. Some have basements and have done extensive work to them to keep them dry. I do not have a basement or a cellar. I lived in another area before and we stored potatoes just fine as I am familiar with keeping them in a cool dry place. I am pinching pennies and was just looking for some ideas. I know you can buy frozen cubed/diced potatoes but don't know the procedure - such as if they need to be blanched off first or some kind of rinse.
I appreciate the replies. I was just looking for any ideas. I know you can freeze mashed potatoes, but just wasn't sure if or how to freeze fresh, not cooked. Even though I am close to the water, I live in a farm area and it would be straight from the farm. Just regular all purpose, probably seconds. You know they store them and keep them just fine, so I am sure I can keep them for a while, too. I think I will just cut/dice/slice or whatever I choose and then partially cook them and then try to freeze, unless someone else has tried it and it didn't work....
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1,787
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Posted:
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
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A root cellar is a small sub-basement where vegatables were kept before electricity and refrigeration. My great-uncle still plants a field of potatoes every year and we have a potato digging party in the fall. The potatoes are stored in the "potato cave" that is dug into the side of the hill below the frost line. It never freezes and the potatoes stay good until spring (if they last that long).
Did you see Ore Ida is advertising a frozen mashed potato that you steam in the microwave and add your own butter and/or milk? Wonder how those taste 
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1,106
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Posted:
Sep 3, 2008 9:06 AM
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Hi aprildr, I haven't frozen fresh potatoes, but I have cooked and I have found that it depends on the type of potato it is. Baking potatoes seem to be mealy when you defrost or reheat them. Are you buying them from the store or straight from the farm? Last year I bought potatoes and sweet potatoes from a local farmer and kept them in my basement, which is cool. It was late spring befor they started going bad. I have done this with Kennabecks ( which is hard to find ) and white potatoes, they are "all purpose" potatoes. When I can;'t do that I look for unclassified or culls. That (at least in our area, Ohio) just means they are irregular shaped/sized and sometimes called seconds. Try freezeing just a few and see what happens, although I wouldn't freeze them whole. Just what is a "root cellar" and how do you make one?
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1,787
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Posted:
Aug 30, 2008 8:39 AM
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Check the ingredients on the packages of those products you'll understand.
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5
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Posted:
Aug 29, 2008 3:14 PM
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I see frozen french fries, hash browns, tater tots, twice baked potatoes in the freezer section, but I have never heard what is needed to do to prepare the potato for freezing. Interesting idea.
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50
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Posted:
Aug 29, 2008 2:00 PM
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1hotbiscuit, I agree, store bought carrots are great! Thats why I didn't hisitate to stick an extra package of baby carrots in the freezer. LOL, apparently it's not the same thing! Oops!
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1,787
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Posted:
Aug 29, 2008 11:54 AM
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Alice is right, if you store them in a cool, dry, dark place they will last a long time. Make sure you store them in a container that allows plenty of ventilation like a wooden peach or tomato box works great.
As far as freezing carrots go, I've never frozen them myself but we buy frozen carrots all the time and IMO they are still firmer and taste better than canned ones.
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128
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Posted:
Aug 29, 2008 9:46 AM
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Potatoes last for many months if you store them correctly.
Ever heard of a "root cellar?"
Plus potaotes aren't that expensive to begin with.
Freezing them whole ruins their texture. They'll be slimy and mushy when you thaw them.
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50
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Posted:
Aug 29, 2008 8:42 AM
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I haven't tried to freeze whole potatoes yet, but I have frozen mashed potatoes. I took them from the freezer right to a sauce pan and stir as they thawed. Tasted the same as the day I cooked them.
I read in another thread (can't remember which, but I'll look) that someone froze baked potatoes.
I know carrots don't freeze well. They turn to mush and you can't hide them in a stew! Yuck!
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Posted:
Aug 28, 2008 10:43 AM
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Does anyone know how to freeze fresh potatoes? It is so much cheaper to buy in bulk this time of year but can't use but so many before they go bad. I would like to freeze them but don't know how. I am new to this message board and site, so I am also not sure if it is posted anywhere else, if so, please tell me where. Any other ideas or recipes involving freezing is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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