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Oxidizing potatoes

Q:

I sliced up an Idaho potato to put it through my shredder for fresh hash browns, and before I shredded it, the potato was white. After I shredded it, however, the potato turned a reddish color. Is the potato still safe to eat?

A:

Potatoes turn pink when exposed to air, but they’re still safe to eat. Sometimes they will also react to certain metals containing iron. When I shred or cut potatoes for boiling, I place the cut potatoes into a mixture of 1 tablespoon of concentrated lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 gallon of water. This will help keep the potatoes from oxidizing. Squeeze out the excess water for the hash browns between a paper or regular towel before frying.