Pots boiling and splitting

[Digger-07]

I am well into my Red Duke of York first earlies but have not yet found a way to boil them without the skins splitting. This is the first year I have grown this variety. Where am I going wrong or is this a common problem with RDoY?

[rustylady]

It's happening with my Arran Pilot too. Don't boil, simmer (i.e. turn the heat down). I've found 10 minutes simmer is enough (sometimes more than enough). If in doubt, turn the heat off and leave them to stand in the hot water for a few mins to finish cooking.

[Two_Sheds]

I did some Desiree tonight...skins still split. I did some of the smaller ones whole, and they weren't cooked thru proper. Still all taste good tho.

[Digger-07]

I've tried the simmering and standing in very hot water techniques with no success. I've never had it happen so frequently before. Is it something to do with all the wet recently after a relatively dry start to the growing period for pots?

[JennieAtkinson]

With home grown potatoes I always boil the water first and then drop the potatoes in and time them for ten minutes, before giving them a test.

Tonight we had Jersey Royals, absolutely delicious. Nothing like the shop bought ones.

[Alice]

The problem could be with the wet weather. You could try steaming the potatoes, or my favourite trick for dodgy potatoes - boil them gently for a few minutes, pour most of the water off leaving about 1/4 inch in the pot, turn the heat down as far as possible, put the lid on and let them steam in there. Check regularly for "doneness".
I've had the same problem with Charlotte. Never had it before.

[valmarg]

I would agree steaming could be the best method of cooking you new potatoes, if they are falling apart boiling.

We have some chinese bamboo steamers, and tend to use them for a lot of veg.

valmarg

[Earthbabe]

I've not had a problem with mine this year although I did have this prob last year with Duke of York and Desiree especially. It was intermittent so I never really gave it much thought. I assumed it was my cooking abilities

[Protea]

I've had this too, except the first lot i dug up (which were tiny) end of May were perfect - skins were loose and papery and boiled perfectly. Now they've got a bit bigger and they're all splitting and going floury when cooked.

I had thought about steaming them, but its just a hassle getting the steamer out! I thought it was perhaps because the potatoes had got bigger and the skins had 'set' more??

Hope it doesn't happen to my maincrops as i want them for roasters and mashers!!

[Two_Sheds]

Liz on the Plot told me to dig up all my spuds today cos someone up the road has got Blight...panic...! Where am I going to put them all???

[dexterdoglancashire]

Liz on the Plot told me to dig up all my spuds today cos someone up the road has got Blight...panic...! Where am I going to put them all???

From what I've learned here TS, dig them up if you really must. Dry them off and store them in paper bags or hessian sacks. (try looking at the thread I asked about harvesting potatoes in the rain). Bernie

[rustylady]

Some of mine have split when cooked, but I think the real secret is to simmer them, not cook at a fast boil. Last night's were perfect - course, you do have to make sure you don't put them on to cook and then forget about them while you potter in the garden.