Sweet Potatoes

How to Select Sweet Potatoes

• No matter the variety of sweet potato you’re shopping for, choose sweet potatoes that are small to medium in size.
• Sweet potatoes should be smooth with a firm texture. Avoid potatoes with sprouts, soft spots, and pest or shovel damage.
• Sweet potatoes that are in good condition when you buy them will store longer.

How to Store Sweet Potatoes

• Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a pantry or cellar. Don’t store sweet potatoes in the refrigerator.
• Keep sweet potatoes away from other produce like onions. The ethylene gas released by onions causes them to sprout.
• Avoid washing your sweet potatoes until you’re ready to use them.
• Sweet potatoes tend to store well if they’re as fresh from the ground as possible. A little dirt is fine during storage; wash it off before cooking.
• Avoid eating any green or sprouting part of the sweet potato, as it’s toxic to humans. Cut these parts off first. Sweet potatoes can cause each other to sprout, so remove any sprouting sweet potatoes from storage before they ruin the rest.

How to Serve Sweet Potatoes