Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: nell on December 08, 2006, 16:25:57

Title: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: nell on December 08, 2006, 16:25:57

A question please - are potatos that have started to sprout safe to eat ? (I've a row of Maris Pipers in the ground that I've been digging as we need them - they are all now chitting too) - or will they have too much solanum content.

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: tim on December 08, 2006, 18:26:20

No expert here, but I'm rubbing chits off some of our stored ones, & I've not infrequently had chitting potatoes from Tesco.

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on December 08, 2006, 19:31:36

They're perfectly safe. I've often eaten them chits and all.

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: saddad on December 08, 2006, 21:06:40

Like Rhubarb the poisonous bit is the green... a chemist friend once explained it to me but I've forgotten all the paths...
 ::)

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: Larkshall on December 08, 2006, 21:09:31

The only parts which are not safe to eat are those which have turned green. If it is the tubers which are green (due to exposure to the sun), then cut away the green part, the rest is OK.

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: telboy on December 08, 2006, 22:24:39

Just rub off the 'chits'. This works with stored pots. also, stops them going soft.

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: nell on December 09, 2006, 12:53:55

Thanks, that's great ! (I think I'll dig the rest up before the chits turn into leaves)   

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: cacran on December 11, 2006, 07:34:48

Does it mean that if a potato is greenish in parts, I have to throw it all away or can I cut the green bit off and eat the rest? I often get them going green when I store them, is it because the light has got to them?

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: supersprout on December 11, 2006, 12:50:49

just cut the green bits off :)

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: cornykev on December 11, 2006, 14:56:25

:) When you store them Cacran put them in a Hessian or paper sack that keeps the light out,  dark,dry, cold storage should be about right.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: cacran on December 13, 2006, 07:24:11

Thanks for the advice. I will follow your advice.

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: Barnowl on December 13, 2006, 13:16:11

I rather cheekily asked for and got a free spud sack from the vegetable stall at our "farmer's" market  :)

Title: Re: Chitting potatoes - safe to eat ?
Post by: cornykev on December 13, 2006, 15:57:33

:) Good for you mate but if you don't ask you don't get.    :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;)