Learning how to peel tomatoes is easy and quick even if you have never done it before. Some people make it sound complicated, but hot water is all you need.
When they are in season and they are fresh, natural, organic or heirloom, peeling tomatoes is a very easy cooking technique. Winter tomatoes or tomatoes with a hard, thick skin are more difficult to peel.
How to peel tomatoes
- Place the tomatoes in any heat-resistant bowl or deep container. It should be large enough for the tomatoes you want to peel. You can draw a shallow cross with a pointed knife on each tomato if you like, but we generally don’t find it necessary to peel them easily.
- Bring water to a boil. 1 quarter or 1 liter should be enough for 4 medium-sized tomatoes. That said, the quantity of water depends on the number of tomatoes you are peeling, and the size of your container. Increase the amount of water accordingly.
- When the water is hot, pour it in the bowl containing the tomatoes. The hot water must cover the tomatoes completely.
- Leave the tomatoes in the hot water for 2 to 5 minutes. If you are busy preparing some other foods, there is no problem with leaving them longer in the hot water, but not so long that the water becomes too cool.
- Remove the tomatoes from the water. Remember to use a spoon if the water is still too hot.
- Now peel the skin off with a pointed knife or use your hands. This is a matter of preference. The tomato skin will come off effortlessly.
Finally, this method works for any red tomato, big or small, round or bulgy.
