How to Store Kennebec Potatoes

Medium Russet, Large Kennebec!

Kennebec potatoes are a premium variety of russet potatoes. Russet potatoes are the brown skinned, mealy ones that are best for baking and mashing. Kennebecs are usually big potatoes. Since these are prized for baking, they command a high price at the market. You can grow your own if you so desire. Harvest late just before your last frost. Luckily, kennebecs also store well. The main thing to remember is what makes potatoes sprout and grow in the first place.

Instructions

1. Put your potatoes in your root cellar. That is, of course, if you have one. Group them together, but don't bag them. Don't let the potatoes touch each other without sufficient air. This is to protect against mold and mildew.

2. Dig a trench that is long but fairly narrow. It should be at least a foot deep. Line the sides and bottom with pieces of cardboard. Put your potatoes in loosely. You'll want to then cover it with more cardboard. Pile at least a foot of dirt on top of that cardboard. You can then cover the whole thing with a big mound of straw for extra insulation. The colder your climate, the more insulation your potatoes will need. Remove potatoes as needed for the kitchen, then replace insulating materials.

3. Place your kennebec potatoes in plastic bins or cardboard boxes. Store then in your garage, barn or spare room. You want a room that stays quite cold, but you don't want to pick one that may freeze. Make sure the potatoes get sufficient air circulation around them. You can cut two-inch holes in the container, then line it with cardboard that has been pierced with a screwdriver at one-inch intervals. Keep the lid on when you aren't removing potatoes. Keep the container off the floor if there is any chance of water getting to them.

4. Keep just a week's worth of your Kennebec potatoes in the kitchen. Keep them in a dark spot with plenty of air around them. Don't bring more in until you've used these up. When you are ready to cook, just remove any sprouts and proceed with your recipe.

5. 

   Keep an eye on your Kennebec potatoes if you are able to. Quickly discard any that show signs of spoilage.

Tips & Warnings

• Potatoes sprout in warm, moist conditions. They also sprout in the presence of light. Protect them from those conditions.

• Potato sprouts and leaves are poisonous. Do not eat them or feed them to animals.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• The Potato: How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World
• The Williams-Sonoma Collection: Potato
• Ultimate Potato Book: Hundreds of Ways to Turn America's Favorite Side Dish into a Meal