11 Ways to Use Up and Preserve Fresh Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the most versatile and delicious foods on the planet.  I am not making that up.  That is a real fact.  In fact, I can’t think a single tater dish that I don’t like.  Add growing your own potatoes into the mix, and my friends, you have died and gone to heaven.  Homegrown potatoes are uh-mazing.  If you have the space to grow enough, some varieties store really darn well too.

Here’s a few ways to get the most out of your potato crop:

Preserving

1. Freeze them.  Yes, you can totally freeze potatoes.  The key is to cook them first.  Peel them or don’t, but you will need to either bake them, as you would a baked potato or boil them.  I personally think baked works best.  Once they are cooked, let them cool completely.  Cube them however  you like.  Lay them on a Silpat lined or parchment lined cookie sheet, freeze them {this keeps them from sticking together}.  Once they are completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container.
2. Dehydrate them.  This is a great option if you don’t have a ton of freezer space.
3. Can them.  I have never personally done this one.  I know you need a pressure canner, though.  There are tons of recipes on the world wide web that walk you through the process.
4. Store them in a root cellar or basement.  Just remember, some varieties store better than others.  The only thing I will say about the link is that I have since learned {from my readers} that it is best not to wash the potatoes before you store them.  They keep longer with the dirt still on them.  Which is less work anyway!

Ways to Enjoy Them Fresh

1. It’s tough to narrow down the best ways to enjoy them fresh, but let’s start with soup.  Soup is awesome.  Put potatoes in it, and it becomes, well…more awesome.  Crock Pot Potato Corn Chowder and Loaded Baked Potato Soup are two of my favorite recipes.  I think you can toss potatoes into pretty much any soup, though.
2. Potato salad is a classic.  If you want a more grown up version, try this Green Bean and Potato Salad or Dijon Potato Salad with Green Onion recipe.
3. I’ll admit, in the height of my couponing days, I would buy boxed scalloped potatoes sometimes.  They have nothing on the homemade version, though.
4. If you have never used Dijon and Worcestershire sauce on your potatoes before, your mind is about to be blown.  Introducing:  Herb Roasted New Potatoes.
5. I like to stick potatoes with left-overs to kind of give left-overs a new life.  This Loaded Baked Potato and Ham Casserole will almost make you forget that you’ve been eating nothing but ham for days.
6. Creamed Peas and Potatoes is one of the HH’s favorites.  In fact, I’d say the whole family gobbles this meal up without any complaints whatsoever.
7. Twice Baked Potatoes are a great alternative to boring old baked potatoes.  It’s like getting mashed potatoes with baked potato goodness all in one package.

There are about a million potato recipes that I could suggest, but those are a couple of the top contenders.  What is your favorite way to use up potatoes?

~Mavis

Want to try growing your own?  GO HERE for the low down.