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David Hare-Scott[_2_] · 19-05-2010, 07:32 AM posted to rec.gardens.edible

wrote:
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:

What is the best way to keep them? How do they go if frozen? Any
special tips on freezing?
I don't know about "the best" but I know what works in the hot
humid southeastern US. IME in U.S.A. supermarket sweet potatoes should
be considered "fresh-dug". Do you know whether yours were properly
cured after digging and are ready for storage?

They were not as I grew and dug them and I don't have the right conditions
to cure them. Apparently they want 85F and high humidity. I've got 40-70F
and variable humidity.

Assuming that they
were, they then should be "root cellared", in darkenss, at
temperatures of 45°-85°(F), in well ventilated containers packed so
as not to touch each other in a light absorbent medium such as
shredded wood "excelsior", straw, pine straw, shredded paper, etc.
Properly cured and stored sweet potatoes shrink somewhat, get more
leathery-skinned and considerably sweeter with age.Temperatures below
40-45°(F) reduce quality and shorten storage life.

We don't have a root cellar or anything like one. I will probably put them
in the house which is closer to the correct keeping temperature than
outside.

David