[Poolfield2]

It doesn't seem to matter what variety of potato I grow when I go out and pick them and then bring them in, quick scrub and boil, they always end up with a layer "peeling" off before they are cooked. I have even tried boiling a few of mine and a few bought ones at the same time and still mine lost their outer layer and the bought ones were fine. Why why why???

Please help.

[gobs]

It might sound a silly q, but do you chop them?

Otherwise it's to do with dry matter etc. content of potatoes, which apart from variety is influenced by the soil and weather conditions too. Can't remember how and when, though. :roll:

What's your soil like?

The Potato Council's website has varieties rated on this basis as for different use.

But as Aggy keeps saying, most boiling apart potatoes can be successfully steamed, very nice, too.

[rugbymad40]

I had the same problem a few years ago.

Two things worked for me, the first was steaming them.  
The second was leaving them for a day or so before cooking them.

Whatever happens to them they still taste better than shop bought.

Regards

Rugbymad40

[Aidy]

Steam them, the problem or not a problem depending on which way you look at it is down to the thickness of the skin of earlies, the skin is just starting to form and is really thin, so as they have not had the chance to mature (unlike maincrop) you will find the skin will come off during boiling. I tend to grow Pentland Javlin and dont have an issue with the skin coming off unless I scrape them first.

[gobs]

I don't think it's about the skin Aidy, Pool in fact scrubs them.

[Poolfield2]

Thanks all, I did wonder if it's because they are so fresh. They are kind of crisp in comparison with bought ones. I do cut them if they are big, I'll try steaming them.

[GrannieAnnie]

I tried steaming some one year, and not for too long either, but they still disintegrated, so I just put it down to them being to fresh, still lovely though!!!

[Deano]

I left mine for a day before cooking them, no problems at all. Must dry them out a bit i guess. Very tasty as well.