How to Peel and Seed Tomatoes

Half-peeled tomato

Difficulty level: Medium

For many recipes, tomatoes can be cooked with their skins and seeds, but there are some which turn out better if the tomatoes have been peeled and seeded. This is especially true for certain tomato sauce recipes, which are smoother and more easily digestible. Try these easy steps for peeling and seeding tomatoes.
 

Peeling Tomatoes

  1. Set a pot of water (enough to completely submerge the tomatoes) to boil.
  2. Set a large bowl of cold water next to the stove.
  3. Cut out the tomato cores.
  4. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water.
  5. Boil for 15-30 seconds, just until the skin around the core starts loosening, or until the tomato splits.
  6. Drop the tomatoes into the cold water.
  7. When cool enough to handle, peel the skin off the tomatoes.
     

Seeding Tomatoes

  1. Cut the tomato in half.
  2. Over a strainer set in a bowl, squeeze half of the tomato in one hand and pull the seeds out with the other.
  3. Discard the seeds, but retain the juice.
  4. Use tomato flesh and juice in your favorite recipe.
     

Recipes with tomatoes

How to peel tomatoes