Poison Potatoes?

Dear Farm,
I was recently told that if your potatoes turn green and get eyes on them, they have turned poisonous and should be discarded. Is it true?

Spud Lover in Summit Hill

Dear Spud Lover,

I am shocked to report that the answer is...true! According to my favorite myth-buster, Snopes.com, the green parts on potatoes are caused by chlorophyll, just like the green parts on any other plants. This is not the dangerous part, but a warning color. The presence of chlorophyll indicates an increased presence of solanine, a toxin found in the leaves and stems of plants in the nightshade family to keep pests away. It can cause serious side effects and even death in humans (which is why you should never-ever eat the stems or leaves of potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant).

Although it would require an average adult to eat 4 1/2 pounds of green-tinted potatoes to have any serious side effects, it is best not to serve viridescent potatoes, especially to children who have a much smaller body weight. The best bet is to toss them on the compost pile, plant them for your own potato bounty in late summer, or my personal favorite, make a fun craft project out of them!

If you have a question for the farm, please email us at wegrowveggies@msn.com with "Ask the Farm" in the subject heading.