If you're concerned that you won't be able to use all of your Muzzarelli Farms sweet potatoes before they start sprouting, here are some ways to store sweet potatoes for months, from best to worst.
Store Sweet Potatoes in a Cool, Dark Area
Duration: Up to 6 months
- Scrub sweet potatoes with a dry brush (no water, as the moisture can lead to rotting and even mold).
- Place sweet potatoes loosely in a paper bag, mesh bag or cardboard box to provide good air circulation (don't store in a closed plastic bag).
- Store in a dark area of a kitchen cabinet or basem*nt (the darkness helps keep the sweet potatoes from turning green and bitter).
- The temperature where the sweet potatoes will be stored must be as close to 55 degrees as possible, so if you have a root cellar, wine cellar or wine fridge, this would be the perfect place. Make sure they're not located near a heat source such as an oven or sunny window.
- Once your sweet potatoes are stored, don't handle them a lot.
- Don't store sweet potatoes with other produce, as other produce can give off gases that make the potatoes sprout more quickly, and likewise the potatoes can cause other produce to ripen and spoil more quickly.
Store Sweet Potatoes in the Freezer
Duration: Up to 12 months
Find out how to store sweet potatoes in the freezer.
Store Sweet Potatoes in the Refrigerator
Duration: 3 to 4 weeks if raw, 3 or 4 days if cooked
Believe it or not, it's not a good idea to store sweet potatoes in the refrigerator, for several reasons. The temperature of a refrigerator is too cool, which can change the sweet potato's cell structure and make them hard in the middle. Refrigerating sweet potatoes can also change or diminish their flavor. And since ventilation is important when storing sweet potatoes, they shouldn't be stored in a closed drawer. However, if you don't have an area of your home that's 55 degrees, refrigerating your sweet potatoes may be the only option, as they'll last longer than keeping them at room temperature, but they also won't taste as good when it comes time to use them.
Store Sweet Potatoes on the Kitchen Counter
Duration: 2 weeks
If you plan on using sweet potatoes within the next week or so, they can be stored right on your kitchen counter at room temperature. But if you won't be using them within that timeframe, it's best to store them using one of the methods described above
FAQs
Store Sweet Potatoes in the Refrigerator
What is the best way to store fresh sweet potatoes? ›
Like other root vegetables and tubers, sweet potatoes are best stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
How do farmers store sweet potatoes? ›
Sweet potatoes can maintain excellent quality for up to a year in proper storage conditions. The ideal storage conditions for sweet potato are the same as for winter squash; moderately warm (55-60F) at 60-75% relative humidity. - excerpted from the New England Vegetable Management Guide, nevegetable.org.
How to store sweet potatoes after harvest? ›
Store sweet potatoes in a warm building where the air is dry and the temperature uniform. The curing room may also be the storage room if conditions are right. Temperature during storage should be kept as close to 55 degrees F.
How do you store sweet potato vines over winter? ›
Take off any greenery that still remains. Pack the tubers in some well-moistened peat moss or newspaper and place them in a cool, dark place. Check the tubers every week to ensure they stay moist and mist them if necessary.
Do you wash sweet potatoes before storing? ›
If you are storing raw sweet potatoes, make sure you do not rinse them first. Rinsing could lead to rotting due to the extra moisture that is being introduced. Use a dry cloth to remove any dirt before you begin to store sweet potatoes. Another way to store raw sweet potatoes is to cure them for 1 to 2 weeks.
What is the traditional method of storing sweet potatoes? ›
In clamp storage, another simple and low-cost method, sweet potato tubers are stored in covered piles. The tubers in the best condition are selected, stacked in a heap on a layer of grass, and covered in layers of grass and soil. As with pit storage, ash, lime, and sawdust can be used for added effect.
Can you leave sweet potatoes in the ground too long? ›
Once the frost hits, the leaves die back and the roots, our sweet potatoes, have about a week before they'll start rotting in the ground. Dead vines will pass decay to the root, so if the vines are completely killed, cut them off, even if you can't harvest immediately.
Do fresh sweet potatoes need to be refrigerated? ›
It's best to keep sweet potatoes in a cool, dry area that gets good ventilation, according to the U.S. Sweet Potato Council. You really shouldn't store sweet potatoes in the fridge if you plan to eat them within a month or so, as refrigeration can bring on an unpleasant taste and a hard center.
Will sweet potato vines come back every year? ›
In USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, sweet potato vines can be considered perennials and they'll come back in the spring. In colder regions, the first frost will destroy the foliage above ground, but if you can protect the roots and keep them from freezing, they may come back in the spring!
When grown in direct sunlight and with proper care, sweet potato vines need trimming to avoid overcrowding and potentially overtaking other species. Alternatively, pruning is one way to encourage more vines to emerge. Use garden shears to cut about 1/4 of an inch above a leaf node to stimulate new growth.
Do sweet potatoes come back every year? ›
Sweet potato plants come back every year if you live in a warmer growing zone (USDA zones 8 through 11). The orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are the most familiar, but sweet potatoes can be white, yellow, and even purple. If you have a smaller garden, you can grow bush varieties.
Can I freeze raw sweet potatoes? ›
Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes? The simple answer is yes! Sweet potatoes can be frozen raw, baked, boiled, or even mashed. However, keep in mind that raw frozen sweet potatoes are likely to get freezer burn, so try to cook them in some way first.
How long do raw cut sweet potatoes last in the fridge? ›
Should I Refrigerate Raw Sweet Potatoes? Whole, raw sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, as it can affect their taste and make them hard in the center. Do refrigerate after they've been cut, though. Covered in cold water, they last about a day.
What is the best way to store potatoes at home? ›
Keep them in a cool, dark and dry place: Potatoes should not be exposed to direct light, as this can lead to them turning green and producing a toxic substance known as solanine. To avoid this, store potatoes in a dark place with a temperature range of 43-50°F or cover them with a cloth or paper bag.
