[Ivah]

Are all you people with Charlotte problems absolutely convinced you have the real thing? Without wanting to say the obvious, Charlotte should be long, sometimes bendy, yellow with solid yellow flesh. I think there is either some sort of mix up in the trade or two slightly different strains that behave differently. The real thing simply doesn't break up.

[azubah]

I have never had that problem with Charlotte spuds..are you sure that they are Charlotte? Mine are longer than egg-shape with yellowish flesh and are lovely and waxy.

[galen]

I (sorry, my wife) found that when straight from the ground they require steaming for about 7 mins. The longer they are out the ground, the longer they take to cook but need constant monitoring to make sure they don't turn to mush.

I would say the effort is worth it 

[Yorkie]

Yes, Ivah there has been no mix up.

If you over cook any spud it will break up.

[Snap Dragon]

Mine are definately Charlottes!

I cooked the first of mine today and they looked like they had exploded  :blink:. They were probably about 3" long and the bigger of my small crop. They still went onto the plates though and tasted lovely.

I will try Kermits idea next time it sounds like a good plan! 

[bonfire]

I have grown Charlotte for three years - and yes they are genuine - I have no idea where this idea of fake Charlotte potatoes comes from but it sounds very unlikely to me. The last two years early dug potatoes have not broken up but late dug ones, bigger and affected by dry weather are best steamed and wonderful baked but have a tendency to break up if cooked for a couple of minutes longer than necessary. This, despite the rather frosty disapproval above is hardly overcooking - life, for most of us is too short to spend it hovering over a saucepan and at their best potatoes allow you a bit of leeway.
 
It may not have occurred to the poster from the North West but the weather in this country varies quite a lot from place to place. In Sussex there was a long period May- June of virtual drought - Yes I know it seems like a long time ago - and this has an effect on any potatoes. My first earlies, Lady Krystl, which we were eating from the end of May were not affected, Chaorlotte, which I stared digging later than usual were.  I will continue to grow Charlotte because the weather will not be like this every year and they are such a good tasting and looking variety they are worth the odd problem in a year when the weather doesn't suit them.

[peterjf]

it seems that allotment potatoes cook  twice as fast as shop bought ,

you could always steam them

[Sue33]

reading through this thread it seems that I have been overcooking mine, will try the microwave method this week, got loads to dig up and store, hurray, now that my spud sacks have arrived 

[kermit]

The last two years early dug potatoes have not broken up but late dug ones, bigger and affected by dry weather are best steamed and wonderful baked]

Wow - never tried them baked before.  Last night threw some of my larger charlottes in a 190c oven for about 45-50 mins.  Absolutely declish!  Highly recommended. 

[Salmo]

Don't most varieties of potatoes go through a phase between new and mature when they tend to break up?