Are Potato "eyes" poisonous? Should they be carved out of spuds?

[scoots]

My mom had a thing about cutting the eyes out of potatoes, saying they were poisonous.

Is that correct? For all varieties of potatoes?

Are they toxic from first development (dimple in the skin), or do they become toxic once they sprout and start to form vines?

I know I could look this up on the internet, but I wanted practical opinions first.

Thanks

Bill

 

[wiskybill]

I looked it up...

https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/54631/are-sprouted-potatoes-poisonous/

 

[ea56]

Bill@wiskybill

great link! This is what I’ve always been lead to believe was true about sprouted potatoes. Just cut out the eyes/and or peel the green areas away before cooking, and you’re good to go.

You can grow potatoes by planting the eyes, just cut out a chunk of potato that contains eyes and bury it in the ground. It will start a potato plant. I’ve never done it myself, but my grandpa used to grow potaotes this way. I’m not sure how long it take before you’ll have potatoes that you can dig up, but I would imagine at least 6 to 8 weeks. Maybe someone else here had grown potatoes this way.

It help to prevent growth of eyes on the potatoes if they are stored in a cold dark place.

Eddie

 

[henene4]

AFAIK you can assume that the parts that already changed color do contain substantial amounts of poisonus substances.

But it probably is an Appleseed thing: In theory yes, in reality you need tons for any effect.

But more so I found the taste of the parts horrible.
Might be sensitive there though.

 

[scoots]

Well, thanks for that prompt answer. Glad to know my Mom wasn't dreaming it.

 

[mattl]

Hmm, I just pop out the parts that are sprouting with my fingernail and cook as desired.  Never had an issue...

 

[rolls_rapide]

Green potatoes...

Never eat green potatoes. Even partially green potatoes with the green part cut off, are still poisonous. The poison is Solanine.

Solanine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org