Hi Jan. I got my start through Seed Savers Exchange years ago and they were so knobby, peeling them was a major undertaking. I felt as though I were a carver rather than a cook. If possible look for varieties that claim to be smoother. I would have left the peel on but they didn't taste as fresh. Ours didn't spread rapidly but then that was when we were moving fairly regularly and I may have left the problem to some one else.(posted 9009 days ago)