Can potatoes be frozen

Potatoes are an essential food in most cuisines since they have a significant role in many preparations. In addition, it is a complete food rich in carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin C, and minerals such as magnesium and iron.

The whole potato can last very well in our pantry, between six and seven weeks. However, many times we find ourselves having a couple of potatoes that are going to go wrong. Many foods keep in the freezer without problem, but others are seriously affected. If you wonder can potatoes be frozen or not, whether raw, fried, mashed, or stewed, keep reading this article. In addition, you will discover how to do it in the most efficient way possible. Do not miss it: How to reheat tamales

Can potatoes be frozen?

Freezing raw potatoes is possible. However, it should be noted that the freezing process seriously affects the texture, making it more watery. Something similar happens with the flavor, which will be less intense. Do not expect a potato as if you just bought it fresh, although at least you can take advantage of all of them and not throw them away. Let’s see how to Fix a Cake That’s Raw in the Middle

The best thing to keep it in good condition is to freeze the peeled raw potato. So, peel them and seal them in an airtight or vacuum bag before freezing. This will also protect it from abrasion from the intense cold. In the same way, you can freeze raw cut potatoes. The process is the same as that of the whole potato.

Can stewed potatoes be frozen?

And freeze stews like potatoes a la Riojana? Yes, of course, you can freeze cooked potatoes in stews. In fact, when we freeze any stew, the potatoes are already included in it. You have to know that you will find the same problem as previously exposed: frozen, boiled potatoes will lose a lot of consistency in taste and texture. Learn How to tell if pineapple is bad?

Therefore, the best alternative is to freeze only the prepared stew. When you defrost it to eat it, you can prepare boiled potatoes cut into small pieces again. In this way, you will avoid that the stew is too doughy.

Can tortilla chips be frozen?
Frozen french fries are found in any supermarket, so you may think that a priori they can be frozen without a problem. Careful! You should not be guided by this since they use a fairly complex industrial freezing process inaccessible for a home.

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To freeze your tortilla chips at home, follow these steps:

• Cut the potatoes and place them in a container with water, salt, and a little vinegar.
• Fry the potatoes in oil until they are half fried, without completely browning.
• Please remove them and drain the oil to prevent them from sticking together in the freezer.
• Separate them individually on a tray covered with plastic wrap and place them in the freezer.
• When they are half frozen, you can put them in a normal bag and freeze them like that.
• The most positive thing about frozen french fries is that you will not need to defrost them beforehand to prepare the omelet. You have to fry them for a few more minutes until they are golden brown.

Can mashed potatoes be frozen?

Have you prepared mashed potatoes, and you have leftovers? You can freeze it without a problem. Even though it is made with milk and butter, it will keep well in the freezer. The original texture will be slightly lost once you thaw it, but you can recover it by using the blender again.

Avoid freezing the mashed potato too hot, as it will create a layer of ice on the surface that will cause it to lose some of the flavors. Please wait to cool to room temperature and store it in zip-lock bags not to drop escapes.

How to freeze potatoes properly.
Next, we show you the best tricks for you to discover how to freeze potatoes correctly. Although it has flavor and texture issues, you can reduce these drawbacks by:

• Remember, the best way is to freeze the peeled potatoes.
• Light a fire, place a pot of water and wait for it to come to a boil.
• When the water is boiling, add the potatoes and cook for five to ten minutes. This will depend on the type of potato you have selected or the size.
• Remove the potatoes and put them in a container with ice and water to cool.
• Pat the potatoes dry to avoid creating a layer of ice around them.
• You can cut the potatoes or freeze them whole. This will not affect the quality.
• Store in freezer bags or airtight containers to avoid abrasion from the intense cold.
• In this way, the potatoes will keep for several months.

How to defrost potatoes?

Once you have frozen your potatoes satisfactorily, the day will come when you need them again to prepare a recipe. Next, we also show you the best tricks to defrost potatoes correctly :

• Take the potatoes out of the freezer and keep them in the airtight container.
• Store in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours before cooking. The longer you can wait, the better thawed they will be.
• You can also defrost only part of the total potatoes. This will not affect the quality of the rest.

In situations of lack of time, you can cook the potatoes so that they thaw faster. Count on that they will need an extra couple of minutes of cooking, both raw and prepared potatoes.