I received a comment on my old blog yesterday reprimanding me for not tossing the green potatoes I pulled this spring and advising me that I should read up on my history of the Irish Potato Famine… *sigh*
Since I am taking that blog down (no need for repetition), I thought I would address the concern here. First, I am not a plant pathologist, but I do try to research everything I offer up as sound wisdom on this blog. I am a new gardener, and obviously, I don’t get everything right all the time.
Second, the potatoes only showed green near the tops and at the surface, where they were exposed to sunlight and the process of photosynthesis had begun.
Third, green does indicate that a toxin known as solanine is present. Large amounts of this toxin can cause stomach upset and is very unsafe for children or pregnant women.
Fourth, if you remove the green areas, as I did and recommended in this original post, the potatoes are perfectly safe to eat. Bon appetit!
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