How to Peel Tomatoes

Going out to the garden and picking a beautiful, fresh tomato is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. But knowing how to peel a tomato helps bring out its best in sauces, bruschetta, and sandwiches, since tomato skins can be chewy and spoilthe finished dish.

1. Wash the tomatoes and remove stems, if present.
2. Using a paring knife, cut an X on the bottom center of each tomato.
3. Fill a large bowl with ice and water and place it on the counter near the stovetop. Bring a pot of water to full boil over high heat. The pot should hold enough water to cover the tomatoes, a few at a time, and give them some room to move around. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water.
4. After 20 seconds, or as the skin begins to peel at the edges of the X, remove the tomatoes from the pot with a slotted spoon and immediately drop them into the ice bath. Boiling longer than necessary will result in tomatoes that are partially cooked and thus soft and difficult to work with.
5. When the tomatoes have cooled completely, remove them from the ice bath and transfer them to a clean work surface. Gently hand-peel the skin from each tomato.
6. Finish by coring and cutting tomatoes as desired. If you want to seed a tomato, cut in half across its circumference and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds.

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Keep Reading: 10 Tips for Growing Awesome Tomatoes

Photo: Harlaan Turkell
Food Stylist: Erin Merhar