What Is Curing and Why Does It Matter<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCuring is the process of preparing foods for long\u2011term storage. Just as meats can be smoke\u2011cured to preserve them, sweet potatoes need their own curing period to ensure they store well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Freshly dug sweet potatoes often have small scratches or blemishes on their skins. If you skip curing, these minor injuries can invite mold and rot. Curing allows the skins to heal and toughen, creating the ideal conditions for storing sweet potatoes for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sorting Sweet Potatoes for Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I sort the sweet potatoes by size. Larger ones are canned or saved for my maple-flavored baked sweet potato dish. Medium-sized sweet potatoes are about the size of a Russet potato<\/a>, or baking potato. These are excellent served as a side dish and baked plain. I put those into a second basket. Into the third basket go the slips, or starter pieces. These will be overwintered and used to begin next year\u2019s garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Freshly](\"http:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/sweetpotatoes61.jpg\")
<\/a>My sweet potatoes, harvested and ready for sorting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to Cure Sweet Potatoes Before Storage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve harvested your sweet potatoes\u2014without washing them\u2014let them dry in the sun for a few hours. After that, they\u2019re ready for the curing stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Brush off loose soil with a cloth, but do not wash the tubers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Place the sweet potatoes in a warm, dark location. A garage works well because daytime temperatures often reach the ideal curing range.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maintain temperatures around 80\u00b0F with low humidity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leave the sweet potatoes undisturbed for 7\u201310 days.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
After the curing period, inspect each tuber. Any showing signs of mold or rot should be discarded. The healthy, fully cured sweet potatoes are now ready for long\u2011term storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storing Sweet Potatoes for Maximum Freshness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce cured, sweet potatoes need a cool, dry environment to stay fresh. A traditional root cellar is perfect\u2014but most of us don\u2019t have one anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A basement or cool storage room works just as well. For example, simple wooden pantry shelves and large baskets can create an excellent storage setup. Keep sweet potatoes in breathable containers such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Wooden crates<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wicker baskets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mesh produce bags<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Store them alongside other long\u2011keeping vegetables like onions, garlic, and regular potatoes, but avoid stacking them too tightly. Good airflow is essential for preventing moisture buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweet potatoes should be stored around 55 to 60 degrees F, and at a normal humidity.\u00a0 If it gets too moist, they may begin to rot; too dry, and they\u2019ll shrivel up. I\u2019ve had both happen, and it\u2019s not pretty. \u00a0Checking your stored vegetables weekly helps prevent a single rotten potato from spreading contamination throughout the basket. Simply find a little time on the weekend to go through your stored vegetables, and use any that appear iffy as soon as possible, or discard them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts on Storing Sweet Potatoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you want to store sweet potatoes even longer, consider canning them. If you have a pressure canner, you can preserve sweet potatoes in Mason jars through pressure canning. A pressure canner is essential to properly can sweet potatoes. They are a low-acid food, and the pH is not low enough to prevent botulism from developing. Pressure canning keeps the heat high enough and long enough to kill the spores if done correctly. The National Center for Food Preservation, at the University of Georgia, has instructions to follow to properly can sweet potatoes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWith proper curing and storage, sweet potatoes can last for many months, giving you a steady supply of homegrown goodness all winter. By mastering the process of storing sweet potatoes, you\u2019ll protect your harvest and enjoy richer flavor and better texture in every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>How to Cure Sweet Potatoes Before Storage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve harvested your sweet potatoes\u2014without washing them\u2014let them dry in the sun for a few hours. After that, they\u2019re ready for the curing stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Brush off loose soil with a cloth, but do not wash the tubers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Place the sweet potatoes in a warm, dark location. A garage works well because daytime temperatures often reach the ideal curing range.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maintain temperatures around 80\u00b0F with low humidity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leave the sweet potatoes undisturbed for 7\u201310 days.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
After the curing period, inspect each tuber. Any showing signs of mold or rot should be discarded. The healthy, fully cured sweet potatoes are now ready for long\u2011term storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storing Sweet Potatoes for Maximum Freshness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce cured, sweet potatoes need a cool, dry environment to stay fresh. A traditional root cellar is perfect\u2014but most of us don\u2019t have one anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A basement or cool storage room works just as well. For example, simple wooden pantry shelves and large baskets can create an excellent storage setup. Keep sweet potatoes in breathable containers such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Wooden crates<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wicker baskets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mesh produce bags<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Store them alongside other long\u2011keeping vegetables like onions, garlic, and regular potatoes, but avoid stacking them too tightly. Good airflow is essential for preventing moisture buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweet potatoes should be stored around 55 to 60 degrees F, and at a normal humidity.\u00a0 If it gets too moist, they may begin to rot; too dry, and they\u2019ll shrivel up. I\u2019ve had both happen, and it\u2019s not pretty. \u00a0Checking your stored vegetables weekly helps prevent a single rotten potato from spreading contamination throughout the basket. Simply find a little time on the weekend to go through your stored vegetables, and use any that appear iffy as soon as possible, or discard them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts on Storing Sweet Potatoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you want to store sweet potatoes even longer, consider canning them. If you have a pressure canner, you can preserve sweet potatoes in Mason jars through pressure canning. A pressure canner is essential to properly can sweet potatoes. They are a low-acid food, and the pH is not low enough to prevent botulism from developing. Pressure canning keeps the heat high enough and long enough to kill the spores if done correctly. The National Center for Food Preservation, at the University of Georgia, has instructions to follow to properly can sweet potatoes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWith proper curing and storage, sweet potatoes can last for many months, giving you a steady supply of homegrown goodness all winter. By mastering the process of storing sweet potatoes, you\u2019ll protect your harvest and enjoy richer flavor and better texture in every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
After the curing period, inspect each tuber. Any showing signs of mold or rot should be discarded. The healthy, fully cured sweet potatoes are now ready for long\u2011term storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storing Sweet Potatoes for Maximum Freshness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce cured, sweet potatoes need a cool, dry environment to stay fresh. A traditional root cellar is perfect\u2014but most of us don\u2019t have one anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A basement or cool storage room works just as well. For example, simple wooden pantry shelves and large baskets can create an excellent storage setup. Keep sweet potatoes in breathable containers such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Wooden crates<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wicker baskets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mesh produce bags<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Store them alongside other long\u2011keeping vegetables like onions, garlic, and regular potatoes, but avoid stacking them too tightly. Good airflow is essential for preventing moisture buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweet potatoes should be stored around 55 to 60 degrees F, and at a normal humidity.\u00a0 If it gets too moist, they may begin to rot; too dry, and they\u2019ll shrivel up. I\u2019ve had both happen, and it\u2019s not pretty. \u00a0Checking your stored vegetables weekly helps prevent a single rotten potato from spreading contamination throughout the basket. Simply find a little time on the weekend to go through your stored vegetables, and use any that appear iffy as soon as possible, or discard them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts on Storing Sweet Potatoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you want to store sweet potatoes even longer, consider canning them. If you have a pressure canner, you can preserve sweet potatoes in Mason jars through pressure canning. A pressure canner is essential to properly can sweet potatoes. They are a low-acid food, and the pH is not low enough to prevent botulism from developing. Pressure canning keeps the heat high enough and long enough to kill the spores if done correctly. The National Center for Food Preservation, at the University of Georgia, has instructions to follow to properly can sweet potatoes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWith proper curing and storage, sweet potatoes can last for many months, giving you a steady supply of homegrown goodness all winter. By mastering the process of storing sweet potatoes, you\u2019ll protect your harvest and enjoy richer flavor and better texture in every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
Store them alongside other long\u2011keeping vegetables like onions, garlic, and regular potatoes, but avoid stacking them too tightly. Good airflow is essential for preventing moisture buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweet potatoes should be stored around 55 to 60 degrees F, and at a normal humidity.\u00a0 If it gets too moist, they may begin to rot; too dry, and they\u2019ll shrivel up. I\u2019ve had both happen, and it\u2019s not pretty. \u00a0Checking your stored vegetables weekly helps prevent a single rotten potato from spreading contamination throughout the basket. Simply find a little time on the weekend to go through your stored vegetables, and use any that appear iffy as soon as possible, or discard them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts on Storing Sweet Potatoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you want to store sweet potatoes even longer, consider canning them. If you have a pressure canner, you can preserve sweet potatoes in Mason jars through pressure canning. A pressure canner is essential to properly can sweet potatoes. They are a low-acid food, and the pH is not low enough to prevent botulism from developing. Pressure canning keeps the heat high enough and long enough to kill the spores if done correctly. The National Center for Food Preservation, at the University of Georgia, has instructions to follow to properly can sweet potatoes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWith proper curing and storage, sweet potatoes can last for many months, giving you a steady supply of homegrown goodness all winter. By mastering the process of storing sweet potatoes, you\u2019ll protect your harvest and enjoy richer flavor and better texture in every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n
With proper curing and storage, sweet potatoes can last for many months, giving you a steady supply of homegrown goodness all winter. By mastering the process of storing sweet potatoes, you\u2019ll protect your harvest and enjoy richer flavor and better texture in every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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![\"sweet](\"http:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sweet-potatoes-2.jpg\")
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