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QUICK PREP TIP: When Potatoes Turn Green

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When potatoes are stored on the counter, over time they turn slightly green under the skin. It turns out that when potatoes are exposed to light for prolonged periods, they produce chlorophyll in the form of a green ring under their skin. While the chlorophyll is tasteless and harmless, it can signal the potential presence of solanine, a toxin that can cause gastrointestinal distress. Since solanine develops on or just under the skin of the potato, discarding the peel greatly reduces the risk of becoming ill from a slightly green spud. We’ve found that potatoes stored in a well-ventilated, dark, dry, cool place stay solanine-free for up to a month, while potatoes left on the counter will begin to exhibit signs of solanine in as little as a week.