Potatoes don't freeze well raw, so they will need to be cooked or partially cooked beforehand. The great thing is that you can choose a variety of different ways to prepare and freeze them. Try these methods with white, sweet or even purple potatoes. Always use potatoes that are fresh.
The key to freezing potatoes and sweet potatoes—whether for fries, hash browns or even simple roasted wedges—is to partially cook them first. Because they contain so much water, raw potatoes don't freeze well and can turn mushy, watery or even grainy.
If you store raw potatoes in a cool, dry place, they can last for weeks, but freezing can preserve potatoes for up to three months. The key is to partially cook the potatoes first, a process known as blanching. If you freeze raw potatoes, they will be mushy and watery.
The reason behind this is that potatoes have a very high water content which means they don't freeze well and can turn soggy, watery, and potentially gritty once thawed. In fact, if you freeze raw potatoes, each drop of water will crystallize.
Can you freeze raw potatoes? No, uncooked potatoes do not freeze well. Potatoes need to be pre-cooked before freezing or the texture and flavor will degrade, and the cold temperature will turn the potato black when thawed. Blanching potatoes stops enzyme actions, which can cause loss of flavor, color and texture.
This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat. The process doesn't affect the flavor or texture of the vegetable.
However, If you do store raw potatoes in the freezer, they may last up to 10 to 12 months (more on storing potatoes later). To avoid a sweeter flavor and discoloration, blanch potatoes before refrigerating or freezing.
While most chefs advocate for making them fresh, mashed potatoes can be made ahead and frozen until ready to use.
Simmer the diced potatoes in salted water until just tender. Spray a sheet pan with non-stick cooking oil and spread cooked potatoes in a single layer on the pan. Place the pan of diced potatoes in the freezer until frozen solidly. Transfer the frozen potato cubes to freezer bags or containers to use as needed.
How Do I Blanch Freeze Dried Potatoes? So, next I peeled russet potatoes, cubed them, put them into salt water as I went, so they didn't turn dark. I blanched them for the recommended 3 minutes, strained and put them into cold water before placing them on trays to freeze dry..
When frying French fries, do not let them thaw before using. I recommend that frozen French fries be kept completely frozen before using. This guarantees that the surface of the potato is sealed during the frying process, resulting in a crispy, high quality fry.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the potatoes and parboil them for 3 minutes. Drain the potatoes into a strainer, then run cold water on them until they are cool to the touch. Pat the potatoes dry. Place the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze the tray for 1 hour.
The key to freezing potatoes, like other vegetables, is to blanch them first. This quick dip into scalding water will deactivate the enzymes that cause spoiling, as well as the loss of flavor and nutrients. So before you turn your attention to your spuds, set yourself up for blanching success.
You can freeze boiled potatoes with and without the skin on. It comes down to personal preference. There is, however, a risk that the skins become soggy if they're not stored airtight in the freezer so be careful.
Wash the potatoes well when you're ready to cook them. Don't store potatoes in the fridge. Raw potatoes have lots of starches, and the cold temperatures can turn the starches into sugars. This can make your potatoes turn sweeter and darker during cooking.
“When these are stored in the fridge, the starch in the potato is converted to sugar. When baked or fried, these sugars combine with the amino acid asparagine and produce the chemical acrylamide, which is thought to be harmful.”
Rinse them in a combo of water and a little bit of white vinegar. Blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before freezing (source). <- This takes more time, but seems to be the best way to prevent your potatoes from turning black.
When slicing the potatoes place into water with a little acidity to keep them from turning gray. A small amount of white wine vinegar of lemon will do the trick. Then drain and place the potatoes in foil along with your spices and some olive oil or vegetable oil. Wrap up tight and refrigerate, then grill.
You can prepare the spuds up to 24 hours before you need to cook with them.