Hints from heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a great tip I read in a magazine once to make potatoes last longer and not sprout. You put an apple in with your potatoes! Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but I tried it, and it works great. — Marie in Texas

Marie, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you really shouldn’t store apples and potatoes together. Ripening fruit like apples gives off ethylene gas, which causes potatoes to sprout. Potatoes are best stored in a dark, cool and well-ventilated place. But don’t leave them in the plastic bags. The bags prevent good air circulation. — Heloise