Do you peel potatoes?

I've been reading about solanine which is a toxin found in the nightshade family of plants which includes all types of potatoes farmed for human consumption.

If I buy unwashed spuds I always wash and peel them, but if I buy washed ones generally I don't peel them and leave the skin on when chopping them up to make mashed potato. I'm very careful to ensure any that look green, or a decayed for any reason, don't get used.

How do I make mashed potato you ask? Well boiled potato, with some margarine and cracked black pepper mixed through during the 'mashing' phase.

So do you peel potatoes?

Top | New | Old

Nightwings · 31-35, F

I can't get completely washed ones, only more washed than the unwashed which are covered in dirt.

I always leave the skin on becauss it has vitamins in it. I don't think it's bad to eat the skin unless something is wrong with the potato in general?

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@Nightwings No, it isn't. The skin is edible.

Don't eat potatoes, or parts of them, that have turned green though - which they do if exposed to light for some time.

Potattoes are often sold in polythene bags. All right for short-term use but not good for longer storage. I open the bags and empty the spuds into a carboard tray (cut from a cereal packet) on the bottom shelf of a kitchen cupboard. So they are kept in the dark and are reasonably well ventilated.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

You need worry about solanine only if the spuds have been exposed to light and are turning green.

That development results from the tuber trying to survive as a plant.

The green itself is chlorophyll, which we can and do eat; but the spud makes the poisonous solanine along with that, as a natural pesticide. That the compound occurs in other plants we can not eat, is not particularly important.

Otherwise, the peel is edible, and is also a vitamin store.

Simply wash the potatoes, cut off any sprouts and damaged areas, and cook and serve them peel and all. I never mash them but cook them simply cut into chunks.

View 2 more replies »

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@ArishMell My family often eats raw potatoes. The older potatoes need to be peeled first but the ones that are fresh from the garden are just as tasty with the peel intact.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@hippyjoe1955 Well, I tried a piece. It was reasonably fresh but a farmed one and certainly not newly-dug. Not sure I'd do it regularly but I found it crunchy, like a raw carrot, and certainly with a bit more flavour than when cooked. It may depend on the strain, of course. I ate it with the skin on but that was very thin anyway.

This comment is hidden. Show Comment

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

I love to dig a potato out of the garden, knock off the dirt and eat it. Mmmmm love the flavour.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

Depends on the thickness of the skin. Usually not unless I'm making mashed potatoes or roasted with a roast beef

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

I don't peel them. I wash and scrub them before cooking them.

OldBrit · 61-69, M

Unless they are new potatoes I'm going to wag with skins in or large jacket potatoes

BamPow · 51-55, M

I don’t peel them unless I’m making something that specifically calls for that.

Lilymoon · F

Unless baked I peel them

swirlie · 31-35

I buy washed potatoes and don't peel them. I eat the skin with the taters.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@swirlie the skin is where all the goodness is

swirlie · 31-35

@JimboSaturn
No wonder I'm so good all the time! And here I thought it was just my stunning beauty and magnetic personality that was responsible for my goodness!

Add a comment...