Potato cooking and cleaning tips for the kitchen

Culinary experts suggest that boiling potatoes in their skins can yield better results for certain dishes. According to experts from America's Test Kitchen and chefs from State Road, cooking potatoes with the skin intact acts as a natural protective layer, preventing the vegetable from absorbing excessive water. This method is particularly beneficial for creating creamy mashed potatoes, as it avoids a watery or overly soft texture.

While cooking in skins may limit salt absorption into the center of the potato, chefs recommend seasoning more intensely after peeling.

Beyond cooking, potato peels can serve a practical household purpose. When combined with baking soda, the oxalic acid found in potato peels can help loosen and remove light, surface rust from cast iron or steel kitchen tools and cookware. For best results, the wet inside of a peel or a halved raw potato can be rubbed onto the affected area with baking soda and left overnight before scrubbing clean.