I ended up with 20 pounds of potatoes that were about to go bad and I needed to use them up ASAP.
I remembered seeing this post on how to make Homemade Frozen Hash Browns and decided to give it a try.
First things first, I scrubbed all the potatoes, poked them with a fork, covered and baked them in a 350 degree oven for about 1 1/2 hours. (Check out my findings below)
After they baked, they were really easy to peel.
When they had cooled enough to handle, I shredded them.
Once they were shredded and cooled, I placed them in freezer bags and laid them flat to freeze…
And of course, fried up some hash browns. They were really good!
Now, I think I need to make a few disclaimers or comments about this process. This was the first time I did it and I learned some lessons along the way…
-I said I baked the potatoes at 350 for 1 1/2 hours… if I ever make these again I will not bake the small ones nearly as long as the large ones. Many of the potatoes (because some were large and some were small) were over cooked and consequently, pretty mushy. So as far as “shredding” them, it was pretty much like pushing the smaller ones through the holes of the shredder. A baked, but firm potato works best for the shredding process.
-Once baked they were really easy to peel but maybe a little too easy. I peeled away a good portion of my potato.
-When you freeze the hash browns I would lay them flat on a baking sheet first and freeze them, then place them in bags after they are frozen. It is hard to thaw them when they are in big clumps.
-I know that frozen hash brown potatoes can be expensive and I had kindly been given these bags of potatoes so this process was basically free this time, BUT in the future if I have to buy the potatoes to make these, I will consider the price of potatoes, the energy to bake the potatoes, the time it took, and the mess it made.
So, if you have a bunch of potatoes to use up and are looking for a good homemade hash brown and you don’t mind it taking some time…this is it.
But if you are looking for a money and time saving option…I’m now sure this is something you will want to do.
Yum, thats a great idea. I have a large family too (5 kids) and I hate to see anything go to waste 🙂
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This is great! Last week I tried an awesome freezer breakfast burrito recipe that uses frozen hash browns. They are expensive, although I did find some at Dollar Tree (didn’t know they had such things) making them myself would be even better!
I have tried this before but I did not bake the potatoes first! Nice to know they didn’t turn out right because I missed a step! HA HA. Thanks for sharing..
visiting from tt&j
I found this on Six Sisters Stuff–thanks for posting! I love how honest you were about what you’d do differently next time. I’ll have to give these a whirl!
Thanks!
Lauren- tastesbetterfromscratch.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing! Potatoes are something I sadly let go to waste a lot! I hate peeling them! But maybe I can stand to peel some for this!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing, I am guilty of letting potatoes get too old and having to throw them away at times.
Great idea without having the potatoes go bad!
Found you over at Monday Funday.
Beth @ The First Year Blog
That’s a great idea.
Lori @ A Bright and Beautiful Life.com
http://www.abrightandbeautifullife.com
Great idea! Thanks for the tip. Maybe we can save some of the potatoes we haven’t gone through yet 🙂
Thanks for being so honest about the process and giving tips. I had also seen the original recipe and couldn’t decide if I wanted to try it or not.
Great idea! I should totally bag mine when I have a lot extra! Thanks for sharing it at Monday Funday 🙂
Thanks for the great tutorial. I’m always wasting the last few of my potatoes. Now I have no excuse!
i need to do this! i have a food processor that would even shred them for me… so, there is no excuse! thanks for the inspiration!
I just peel and cube the potatoes and boil them for 8 minutes. Drain well and pour onto a baking sheet to cool completely. Then I package them in Ziploc freezer bags so that they are in a single layer when the bag is laid flat. Freeze the bags flat. When you are ready to use them just heat the fat of your choice in a skillet and add the still frozen potatoes. Cover and cook until thawed and then remove the cover and continue to cook and stir occasionally until browned. Season with S&P. These are easy and delicious. You would never know the potatoes had been frozen.
Hi Carrie,
Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Hope to see you soon!
Miz Helen
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You can also boil potatoes for a very similar result. Takes quite a bit less time then baking. My Amish Grandma makes her hashbrowns this way and they turn out excellent. Just boil them till they are about half cooked. 🙂
Nice to see other ways to accomplish it though!