Can you peel and cut white potatoes leave them sit in water for several hours before cooking them?

Yes, you can peel and cut white potatoes and leave them to sit in water for several hours before cooking them. This is a common practice that is usually done to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which helps to prevent them from sticking together or becoming gummy when cooked. Additionally, rinsing the potatoes after peeling and cutting them helps to remove any remaining dirt or debris. When you leave the potatoes in water, it is recommended to change the water a few times to ensure that they remain clean and fresh. It is also important to store the potatoes in a refrigerator while they are sitting in water to avoid spoilage. However, leaving the potatoes in water for too long, typically more than eight hours, can leach out too much starch and result in reduced flavor and texture of the potatoes when cooked. It's generally better to soak them for a few hours, or up to overnight in most cases.