Potatoes…what went wrong?

marilynedsIdlhVn5m · July 2023

I grew some new potatoes for the first time in large containers. They look great but every time I boil them this happens, It’s as if they’re bursting out of their skin, they’re completely inedible! Any ideas what went wrong please?

barry island · July 2023

Welcome to the site, how long ago did you dig them up? I always think that it's better to leave them a couple of weeks to dry out they seem to cook better then.

Dovefromabove · July 2023

That might be a result of them getting too much water just before harvesting … a spell of two of heavy rain recently? Or they’ve just been boiled for too long … I take new potatoes out of the water when they’re only just tender.

I’ve found that steaming them in a covered colander or similar over a pan of boiling water is a way of avoiding that happening … they take a bit longer to cook so it’s easier to spot the perfect time to take them off the heat.

marilynedsIdlhVn5m · July 2023

I dug them up about two weeks ago. I’ve tried cooking twice but they turned out the same both times.

Lyn · July 2023

Try pricking the skins first and don’t boil for too long.

Waterbut · July 2023

I gave up growing potatoes. This happened to me and my neighbours all the time even with different varieties. This has only happened over the last few years. Great advice above so I might try again next year.

Palustris · July 2023

Can I ask in what way are they inedible when they have burst open like that?

fidgetbones · July 2023

Stick some butter on and call them crushed potatoes. very gourmet.

marilynedsIdlhVn5m · July 2023

The skin can’t be peeled off after cooking as it takes half the potato with it! I tried mashing the whole thing with butter/milk but I couldn’t get the lumps out and the texture was very strange. This is a pic of potatoes before cooking.

Dovefromabove · July 2023

I like to dig them up as I’m going to use them, then wash and scrape the skins off and cook immediately.

I don’t let the skins dry and set cos then they need peeling and they’re just like ordinary maincrop potatoes then rather than ‘new potatoes’.

Busy-Lizzie · July 2023

I do the same as @Dovefromabove. I put some mint in the water and serve with butter and chopped parsley.

I'm afraid they look overcooked to me.

Potatoes…what went wrong?

I grew some new potatoes for the first time in large containers. They look great but every time I boil them this happens, It’s as if they’re bursting out of their skin, they’re completely inedible! Any ideas what went wrong please?

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