Can I eat my sweet potato if it's sprouted?
We've all been there: you take a sweet potato out of the vegetable basket, and then... surprise. It's sprouted.
A little green shoot, sometimes the beginning of a stem, sometimes several. Should we throw it away? Is it dangerous? Can it still be cooked? The good news is that the sweet potato doesn't have the same limitations as the classic potato. And in many cases, they're perfectly edible.
Sprouted sweet potato: risk or no risk?
Unlike the potato, the sweet potato does not produce solanine, a substance that can become toxic if it sprouts or turns green.
As a result, a sprouted sweet potato is generally safe to eat, as long as it remains firm, colorful and has not developed a suspect odor.
Sprouting is not a sign of toxicity. It's simply the vegetable trying to grow, like a plant.
On the other hand, it can slightly alter texture or taste if the potato starts to soften.
When should it be disposed of?
Sprouted sweet potatoes are edible if still firm.
However, it should be avoided in the following cases:
- it is soft or wilted
- has deep black spots
- it has a bad smell;
- it is very wrinkled, a sign that it has lost its water and therefore its quality.
If germination is accompanied by real decomposition, it's best to part with it.
Do I need to remove the germs?
Yes, the sprouts are removed before cooking.
They're not dangerous, but they're fibrous and not very pleasant to eat.
Simply cut off the sprouted part - nothing more complex.
And what about taste?
Good news: a lightly sprouted sweet potato retains its sweet taste and texture if it's still fresh.
The only difference is that it may be a little drier on the surface.
In this case, the following cooking methods work particularly well:
- soup (it blends very well, even if it has aged a little),
- purée,
- steaming,
- roasting in the oven (with a drizzle of oil, it regains its softness).
Just avoid cooking where the potato needs to be ultra-firm, such as certain crispy pan-fried dishes.
Why does it sprout so quickly?
The sweet potato loves heat and humidity: it's a true tropical.
If you store them in :
- a very warm kitchen,
- a basket near a sunny window,
- a place with too much humidity...
... it will naturally want to grow.
It's best to keep it in a cool, dry, dark place (a temperate cupboard or cellar is ideal).
Can it be planted if it has sprouted?
Yes, and it's really quite simple!
Sprouted sweet potato can become a decorative plant or a real vegetable garden if you let it grow in water or soil.
It's not essential, but it's a nice way of not throwing anything away.
In short, a sprouted sweet potato is not dangerous.
You can eat it as long as it's firm, odorless and free of rot. Simply remove the sprouts and cook as usual ;)
Adèle Peyches
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