When a potato cooks, the starches contained in each cell are released as the cell walls break down. These starches absorb the potato’s internal moisture and swell and soften. These two processes are what transform a raw, hard potato into a cooked, softer potato fit for mashing.

If you cut your potatoes up before boiling them, the starches absorb the internal potato moisture as well as the water in which they’re being boiled. If they boil for too long, they absorb too much water and your mashed potatoes will become gummy. The difference between perfectly cooked potato pieces and soggy pieces can sometimes be as little as a minute or two.

An easy workaround is to boil potatoes whole. They’ll take a bit longer to cook but you can leave them in the hot water after boiling without undesirable effects, keeping them warm until it’s time to mash them. I start my potatoes boiling as soon as I begin cooking and mash them immediately before dinner.

If they need more moisture, you can add a bit of hot potato boiling water or another liquid. This way, you have more control of their moisture content.

  • snooggums@kbin.social
    2·
    11 months ago

    I understand the original post, it was presented as a solution to a non-existent problem instead of just an alternate method.

    • Aleric@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      11 months ago

      I now see my mistake: I made a post that addresses a problem that you’ve never had and failed to remember that the world is no greater than your experience. I clearly am the worst kind of person and deserve your criticism.

      My thanks also for your public service of mocking people trying to be helpful or educational on the Internet. You truly exemplify how actions taken by those in anonymity speak volumes of their character.

      • snooggums@kbin.social
        2·
        11 months ago

        How much does being a professional victim pay per year, and does it require a lot of overtime?

        You are massively overreacting to some constructive criticism followed by some lighthearted humor. Learn to laugh at yourself a little.

        • Aleric@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          11 months ago

          Ahhh, the old “I offended someone on the Internet when I made fun of them, so I made fun of them again then blamed them for all of it when they said something”.

          At first I figured you were just being an asshole. It happens, people have bad days or phrase things poorly. Then you proved you weren’t just being an asshole - you actually ARE an asshole.