Question about canning potatoes

[Dace]

My local grocery (Vons) has 10 lb bags of russets on sale for .99. I bought two and plan to make good use of them in my menus for the next couple weeks....but I can't help but wonder if I shouldn't buy a few more bags and can them.

I assume they would be only used for soup/stews or mashed potatoes because they would be soft. I could use some advice before I run out this afternoon and buy 30 more lbs!!

 

[me&thegals]

I know you're asking about canning, but do you have a cool, dark place to store them instead? Potatoes would need to be pressure canned, which takes quite a long time...

Or, maybe you could make soups with them and can the soup?

Sorry, I'm not being very helpful

 

[Ldychef2k]

I pressure canned 40 pounds of potato cubes this year. They were russets. So far, none of them have been soft and mushy. I use them as is, not mashed, along with my canned deep bit beef. I think that's my favorite dinner from my pantry.

 

[patandchickens]

My observation is that when potatoes go on big sale it is often because they are not in good condition, so you'd want to know what you're buying before you buy a lot.

Honestly, given that potatoes are so cheap and readily available year-round ANYhow, I'm not sure it would be worth the cost of the lids and electricity and steaming up the house with lots of pressure canning

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Dace]

Hmmmm....ok.

Pat -I bought two bags and checked them out, they are in really good condition.

LadyChef- did you hot pack them? Add any seasonings? I am thinking they would be great drained and then fried with bacon grease and onions for a quick weekend breakfast side dish.

Me& the gals- I usually store pots in my pantry and they get soft with in about two weeks. I do have a closet near my front door that feels nearly refrigerated...I could try a couple bags in there.

Lasty, why stock up? Because they are cheap and with DD's boyfriend around I am feeding a family of 7 and money is tight (as always!) but this is one of those rare times when I can invest in extra jars and lids to take advantage of a good deal and get some food put up

 

[TanksHill]

Hey Dace, I bought a bag too. I could not help but think the same thing. About canning that is.

gina

 

[punkin]

My dad and I canned 42 qts. this year. This is what we did:

Place scrubbed potatoes (whole or cubed in qt jar)
Put in 1 tsp salt
Pour warm water to 1/2" headspace
Pressure cook for 40 min. at 10 lbs.

I've eaten a jar to see how they turned out, and they are wonderful.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Frozen mashed potatoes are good too. Just make them as usual, and freeze. When you are ready to use them, thaw and stir really well as you are reheating them. This is also convenient, as you can freeze portion-sized containers. Just have to plan to take them out a day prior to wanting to use them.

 

[TanksHill]

My dad and I canned 42 qts. this year. This is what we did:

Place scrubbed potatoes (whole or cubed in qt jar)
Put in 1 tsp salt
Pour warm water to 1/2" headspace
Pressure cook for 40 min. at 10 lbs.

I've eaten a jar to see how they turned out, and they are wonderful.

Punkin, you didn't boil them first? Just wondering, the Ball Book says to cook for 10 min. I figured they would be mush. How are yours? Firm still?

 

[punkin]

My dad and I canned 42 qts. this year. This is what we did:

Place scrubbed potatoes (whole or cubed in qt jar)
Put in 1 tsp salt
Pour warm water to 1/2" headspace
Pressure cook for 40 min. at 10 lbs.

I've eaten a jar to see how they turned out, and they are wonderful.

Punkin, you didn't boil them first? Just wondering, the Ball Book says to cook for 10 min. I figured they would be mush. How are yours? Firm still?

No, didn't boil them first. They aren't mushy. These were small new potatoes put in whole with skins on. The recipe said either whole or cubed, I forgot where it came from. I think if you boiled them first, they would be really mushy. These have the firmness of boiled new potatoes. Like ones you would eat over green beans. (Great, now I've made myself hungry!)