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Peeling tomatoes
Beginner Vegetables, grains and beans
Peeling tomatoes is loosening tomato skins with a quick dip in boiling water so they slip right off.
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How do you do it?
- Cut a shallow X in the bottom of each tomato and bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Lower the tomatoes in for 30-60 seconds, until the skin at the X starts to curl.
- Move them straight into a bowl of ice water for a minute.
- Pull the skin off starting from the X with your fingers or a paring knife.
Why does it work?
The boiling water heats the layer just under the skin, which loosens its grip on the flesh. The ice bath stops the heat before the tomato starts to cook and go soft.
What are the common mistakes?
- Leaving them in too long — the flesh turns mushy.
- Skipping the ice bath — tomatoes keep cooking and are too hot to handle.
Still stuck? Watch someone do it on YouTube.
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