Down on the Allotment

Matron grows vegetables and fruit in a Hampshire garden. I've been growing veggies since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Some traditional varieties and old favourites as well as new ideas. I share my garden with my allotment assistant Daisy the Labrador. On Twitter as @MatronsVeggies

Friday, February 25, 2011

Epicure Potatoes

Epicure new potatoes are my favourite variety without a doubt. They are not easy to find nowadays, but thanks to the internet I was able to do a word search and hunt some down from Mr Fothergills website. They are an old Scottish potato which was popular in the 1950s and I used to grow this variety and nothing else when I was growing up, helping my Dad on his allotment.
Described in the catalogues as 'floury' texture (as opposed to waxy) I couldn't disagree more. Perhaps the definition of floury or waxy is not as obvious as it sounds. These are a lovely, dense new potato with the best flavour in the world. Take a tip from Matron - hunt them down and try them for yourself!

14 Comments:

At 10:39 PM, Blogger The Plotkeeper said...

As a Scottish lass I agree with you about the texture and the flavour. One I grow quite often. Enjoy!

 
At 11:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So happy you were able to find these Matron. If you like the taste and texture that's all that matters...can't wait to see them when you dig them up!

 
At 12:03 AM, Blogger Mal's Allotment said...

Surprisingly, Matron, Epicure is a Hampshire potato - but very popular in Scotland. I grow it every year and agree about the flavour - but have opted for Swift (a Jack Dunnet variety) this year.

 
At 12:36 AM, Blogger Hazel said...

Stop that, Matron! I have all the seed potatoes that I need from the spud day at Ryton! (and yes, I could have bought Epicure there, but I didn't!)

If you'd be so kind as to make potato recommenations before the end of Jan next year, I would be most grateful. Thank you. ;)

Actually, if you are good, and remind me, I will grow a couple of Epicure at the Hill next year and do you a swap of the harvest, then we can see how much the taste of the potato is down to the growing - your London clay vs my light-improved-with-pony-poo-for-many-years. :)

 
At 1:20 AM, Anonymous Nate said...

I was determined to track these down too - as I heard they were used for 'Ayrshire new potatoes' which I looked forward to all year when I was growing up. The town I grew up in was actually called 'tattie toon' and you could easily get them fresh from the field at the right time of year.

I got mine at J.B.A Seed Potatoes (I won't link spam you, a quick google would easily find 'em) and I can't wait to get them started. I'm even trying to find somewhere I can get whole sheets of seaweed to fertilise with as this was supposedly the traditional way they were grown up here and I'd like to try it at least once.

Hope yours do well!

 
At 1:23 AM, Blogger Cabbage Tree Farm said...

Excellent that you were able to track some seed potatoes down. I hope they perform well for you.

 
At 6:16 AM, Blogger melsanford said...

Ooooh! I'll have to look out for some of those! Thanks for the tip :-) Love 'n' hugs, Mel xx

 
At 3:46 PM, Blogger Jo said...

I'll remember these for next year, I've got all I've got room for this year.

 
At 1:33 PM, Blogger Kath said...

The description would have put me off Matron - I like a waxy new spud. Descriptions like these of texture(and of flavour) are very subjective. You can't beat trying things for yourself.

 
At 7:41 PM, Blogger Lexa said...

Matron- so gald that you found an old favorite. I haven't ever heard of that variety over here in the US. I hope that do well for you and taste as good as you remember!

 
At 5:25 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Brilliant - reminded me that my dad used to grow Epicure on his allotment when I was a child.
I like a floury pot - but then again I like any kind of potato that is delicious!

 
At 6:19 PM, Blogger Betonyjoy said...

I've been catching up on blogs and just read about you losing Buddy. It's so sad but I'm sure you gave him the best years of his life after rescuing him and he was one of the happiest, most loved and cared for dogs possible. XX

 
At 11:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, I tried these for the first time this year. I bought them as the description was floury and indeed this is how they turned out, but I was disappointed with the flavour. Maybe it's the soil. . . Very sandy and gritty, and therefore free draining here in my part of Cambridge. Although I do add lots of compost.

 
At 9:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I grow Epicure in Edinburgh and apart from being a great all round potato THEY MAKE THE BEST CHIPS yes it was a surprise to me too.

 

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