Sweet potatoes are a versatile food that is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Sweet potatoes can also be cooked in various ways (boiled and even made fried potatoes). Maybe the sweet potato needs to be chopped before cooking, or maybe you have sweet potatoes that have been stored for a long time and want to freeze them before they go bad. There are several ways you can do to store sweet potatoes that have been cut to keep them fresh for a longer time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Storing Raw Sweet Potato Slices in the Fridge
Step 1. Place the chopped raw sweet potato in a large bowl
You can peel the sweet potato or leave the skin alone. Whatever the shape of the cut, it doesn't matter-the sweet potato can be diced, in chunks, or in large slices. Use a clean bowl large enough to hold the sweet potato without going over the rim of the bowl.
Check that there is enough space in the refrigerator to store the bowls. Otherwise, free up space so the bowl can fit
Step 2. Soak the sweet potatoes in cold water
You can use filtered water or tap water. Stir a little so that the water touches the entire surface of the sweet potato.
You can also add a handful of ice to the bowl to keep the water as cold as possible, although this is not mandatory
Step 3. Store the bowl in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours
If you're preparing a large meal, cut the sweet potato the day before and place it in the refrigerator until it's time to cook. If after drying the sweet potato turns brown, feels mushy, or is slimy, throw it away as it may have rotted.
Do not leave the bowl of sweet potatoes on the table for more than 1-2 hours. The yams will probably be fine, but there's a chance the water will warm up and brown them
Method 2 of 3: Freezing Raw Sweet Potato Slices
Step 1. Store the peeled raw sweet potato in cubes if you want to freeze it
Use a vegetable peeler to peel them. Cut the sweet potato into 2.5 cm dice on a clean cutting board. If you want, you can also cut the sweet potato into large or small slices.
- Sweet potato skins should be peeled off before freezing in slices to prevent bacteria from the skin from spreading to the sweet potato flesh when thawing later.
- This step is especially useful if the sweet potato is close to rotting.
- Save the sweet potato skins to make a vegetable stock or put them in a composting container.
Step 2. Boil the sweet potato for 2-3 minutes
Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan, then boil the sweet potatoes for 2-3 minutes. Carefully drain the sweet potatoes in a sieve, then immediately transfer them to a large bowl of water and ice. Soak in ice water for 2-3 minutes. Remove from water and dry on paper towels.
This boiling process will prevent the sweet potato from becoming slippery and hard after thawing
Step 3. Put the boiled sweet potatoes in a ziplock bag
Use small or large bags, depending on how many sweet potatoes you want to store. Divide the sweet potato per serving, then remove the air from the bag before closing it tightly.
- Dividing the sweet potato storage per serving will save you time later because the sweet potatoes will stick together when frozen. So, by separating them per serving into different bags, you don't have to bother separating them.
- If you have a vacuum sealer, this is a good time to use it.
Step 4. Store raw sweet potatoes in the freezer for up to 6 months
Until the sweet potato is completely frozen, do not put anything on it because the sweet potato may crumble and spoil. It will take about 5-6 hours for the sweet potato to completely freeze.
Label the ziplock bag with permanent marker before placing it in the freezer. Please provide information, either in the form of date of manufacture (“stored date xx/xx/xx”) or expiration date (“use before xx/xx/xx”)
Step 5. Thaw frozen sweet potatoes in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours
Do not remove frozen sweet potatoes directly on the table without thawing them in the refrigerator first. If you place it directly on the table, mold and bacteria can multiply due to extreme temperature changes. Use the sweet potato within 24 hours of removing it from the freezer.
- Thawed sweet potatoes will be softer than freshly cut sweet potatoes, but still delicious to eat.
- If the sweet potato experiences a lot of freezer burn when removed, it probably won't taste very good. It's up to you whether to use it or not.
- If you don't have time to defrost in the fridge, use the microwave on the “Defrost” setting.
Method 3 of 3: Storing Ripe Sweet Potato Slices
Step 1. Store the cooked sweet potato chunks in the refrigerator for up to 7 days
Place the sweet potato in an airtight container up to 1 hour after cooking. You can also pop it straight into the fridge while it's still hot if you want to store it immediately after cooking. If the container you are using does not have a lid, just cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Label the container with the date of manufacture so you remember how long the sweet potato will last
Step 2. Freeze cooked sweet potato chunks in a ziplock bag for up to 1 year
Mashed, diced, or whole sweet potatoes can be safely frozen when cooked. Just put the sweet potato in the bag, let the air out, and store it in the freezer. When you're ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge for a few hours, then heat it up in the microwave, oven, or on the stove.
Don't forget to label the bag with the date so you remember how long the sweet potato is worth using
Step 3. Discard any ripe potatoes that have changed color or smell
If you are about to heat a sweet potato and notice a strange smell or notice a discoloration with brown or black (or even moldy) spots, throw it away immediately.
- If you store sweet potatoes in the freezer and notice that they are frozen when they are taken out to thaw, it's up to you whether you want to eat them or not. Technically, sweet potatoes are still safe to eat, but they may not taste as good as they used to.
- If you have sweet potatoes in the fridge and you're worried you won't be able to use them until they've gone bad, just freeze them so you don't waste them.
Step 4. Done
Tips
- If you have sweet potatoes that are about to go bad, just chop them up and freeze them. That way, sweet potatoes will not be wasted.
- Technically, sweet potatoes stored in the freezer at 18 °C can be stored indefinitely, but for the best taste, stick to the expiration date.
