I remember the first time I encountered a sprouted potato. As I picked up one of these potatoes, I immediately turned to my sister and asked her what I should do. She then reassured me that these potatoes are safe to eat, provided that I peel the potato and remove the sprouts.
It seems that, back then, my sister’s advice was correct... for most of the time, at least.
The sprouts themselves shouldn't be eaten, as they contain high concentrations of the toxins solanine and chaconine. These toxins, called glycoalkaloids, can cause headaches, vomiting, and digestive issues when consumed in high quantities.
[...]
Dr. Rich Novy, a geneticist from the USDA Agricultural Research Service, told Best Food Facts that potatoes that have sprouted are fine to eat in most cases. The biggest chemical change that takes place when a potato sprouts is the conversion of starches to sugars to feed the growing buds. If a potato still feels firm after the sprouts have been removed, it has most of its nutrients and can be salvaged. But if it feels soft and wrinkly, it's gone bad and should be tossed out.
More about this over at Mental Floss.
(Image Credit: NatalieMaynor/ Flickr)
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The potatoes contain Solanine (Glycoalkaloids), the poisoning component solanine is also known as potato toxin. Glycoalkaloids found in potatoes are in the peel, sprouts, and especially in the tops and stems.If potatoes are still hard to touch and they don't look too wrinkly and shriveled. Remove the sprouted parts, and you can eat them. But avoid very shriveled or wrinkled potatoes as they can make you sick. While Rotten potatoes should be wasted without any further delay. Because they are very dangerous Here is How toxic gas from rotten potatoes killed a whole family.
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Or planted, if you have a garden patch for them!
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