this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2023
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Just found out today if they start to sprout even a little you shouldn't eat them?
NO, that's not right. If they turn green you shouldn't eat them. If they sprout in darkness, so the sprouts are white, just pluck the sprouts off and peel like normal.
Just don't eat green potatoes.
Potatoes being green is also unrelated to them sprouting it just happens when they get too much sunlight while growing
I've had potatoes in my fridge go green. So I don't think it's only when growing.
You're right I misremebered it. We usually grow our own potatatoes and there are already some green ones in there so I wrongly presumed it was only during growth
Ok, so when should they not be eaten?
Because the green indicates that toxins have formed inside the potato from exposure to sunlight
Basically the potato wants to protect itself from insects, and so it makes itself un-edible when exposed to sunlight, aka. the surface.
See above pic
For what its worth the photo above is a sweet potato which is different and generally wont become poisonous.
Sweet potato leaves can even be eaten, they are nice stir fried with garlic and ginger.
However never try to eat regular potato leaves, they are poisonous
Also probably taste bitter and nasty, I once tried to eat a potato berry when I was younger and before I knew they weren't edible and it tasted awful. Don't judge me I was 5 and didn't know any better, but I definitely know better now.